Drive Shaft Clunk in 1997 4Runner

mbntundra · #1 (**permalink**) 09-19-2007, 11:46 AM

Hello,

I have a 1997 4Runner V6 manual with 164,000 miles.

I recently developed a clunk that is coming from under the 4Runner. This will happen intermittently over rough roads and also driving up inclines or abruptly releasing the clutch pedal. I took it into the Toyota dealer and they determined that I had just all of the sudden developed some play in the drive shaft or the rear differential. The mechanic removed the drive shaft and drove the 4Runner with the front tires in 4 HI and the noise was gone. They told me just to live with it, but it is getting more annoying. I can grab the driveshaft when parked and rotate it with my hand about a 1/4 inch either direction.

Does anyone have any thoughts on this? I love the truck and do not want to get rid of it.

Thanks.

ctrj · #2 (**permalink**) 09-26-2007, 09:22 PM

Not sure Toyota's have them, but can't you replace the u-joints? Even if you can't a replacement driveshaft is not so expensive that you should think about selling your 4Runner.

mbntundra · #3 (**permalink**) 09-27-2007, 09:00 AM

Thanks for responding ctrj.

I have talked to the dealer about just that. I was going to run about $1,000 to put in a new driveshaft. I was ready to do it until they said the play was probably in the rear differential and not the driveshaft itself

One half of the u-joint is actually built into the driveshaft from what I heard at the dealership.