Transmission Clunk, Driveshaft Thump, Worse After Propeller Shaft Replaced,

[Jasper7821]

I just want my truck fixed, I'm a realtor and even clients mention the clunk and are shocked when I tell them Toyota said there's nothing they can do.

Here's what will happen in arbitration:
They have 3 options and it's totally up to the arbitrator
1. fix it
2. give you another Toyota vehicle that is comparable to yours
3. buy the vehicle for blue book value.

[DJM86]

Originally Posted by Jasper7821

I just want my truck fixed, I'm a realtor and even clients mention the clunk and are shocked when I tell them Toyota said there's nothing they can do.

Here's what will happen in arbitration:
They have 3 options and it's totally up to the arbitrator
1. fix it
2. give you another Toyota vehicle that is comparable to yours
3. buy the vehicle for blue book value.

I feel the same as you. I just want Toyota to address that there are 07-08 Tundra 5.7 4WD trucks with this problem and come up with a fix. I don't even know if Toyota is trying to solve this problem to be honest. Do they need a certain number of complaints before they look into it?

Something in the drivetrain is binding up and then releasing causing the clunk. I have heard and read in the past that Toyota designed these trucks to have a certain amount of "play" to allow for expansion of the metal when it gets hot. My clunk is caused by way too much "designed play". All I do when I drive is try to come up with what is causing this and how to fix it. I'm an engineer so this is how I'm programmed. Some things to think about:

1. The clunk/thud sensation is present when coming to a stop AND when SLOWLY accelerating.

2. The clunk/thud sensation is eliminated when coming to a stop by shifting the truck into neutral and stopping.

3. The clunk/thud sensation is drastically reduced when the outside temperature is below 60 degrees.

Jasper - Does the individual that you listed as a contact know anything specific about this problem with the Tundras or does she just collect information and take notes and say she'll get back with you? I have already called Toyota, made a complaint, have a case manager assigned to my case and received a reference number. They told me they would get back to me if Toyota comes up with a fix.

Anyways, it's jsut frustrating have to deal with this on a brand new truck.

[Jasper7821]

My truck has the same exact problems as you, I havent tried to shift into neutral when stopping yet but I'm sure it will do thesame as yours.
The reference number you got is only good for a telephone interview with the case manager and they will tell you everything is fine.

You need to call
Kristin Medynski
Case Administrator
866-727-8119 x125
kmedynski@ncdsusa.org

and get the arbitration application for the state you live in.

[Jasper7821]

Aksing for anyone's help who lives in or near Orange County and has the driveshaft clunk/thump problem.

My arbitration meeting is set for Dec 16th 10:30 am at Toyota of Orange

Please email me if your interested
Thanks,

kendungey@sbsglobal.net

[38Thumper]

I do not have the thump and clunk anymore since they replaced my driveshaft but I do have a vibration on acceleration in first and second gear, it is driving me crazy. The problem is worse when I have my travel trailer hooked up, its about 7300#s

[38Thumper]

Well I just made an appointment to get the vibration fixed and some dashboard rattles, so we shall see.

[Jasper7821]

I also have some wierd vibration mostly when coming to a stop, happens only once in a while. Almost feels like the rear wheels are going over small potholes.

[bretsuaz]

I have an 07 Tundra that is not having this problem, but my friend who has an 07 Taco is.
For the first 25k miles the truck was great, but now on every start/stop she has the clunk. Dealer had it for a day and said they acknowledge the clunk, but that is normal operation and the truck is performing as designed. Funny thing is it didn't do it for the first 25k miles. When she told me about the problem, I told her that they would probably need to lube the yolk. They didn't even try to do that! I'm not a mechanic, but there is definitely something wrong with this truck.

I called a couple of different dealers and was advised that even if you make an appointment with the factory tech, he will not do anything and simply state that the vehicle is operating within the specs it was designed.

I think it is important that we all go through the steps, and even file the lemon paperwork. Hopefully Toyota will understand that even if the truck is operating as designed, they have alot of unhappy customers.

[EVOL ARDNUT]

Originally Posted by bretsuaz

I have an 07 Tundra that is not having this problem, but my friend who has an 07 Taco is.
For the first 25k miles the truck was great, but now on every start/stop she has the clunk. Dealer had it for a day and said they acknowledge the clunk, but that is normal operation and the truck is performing as designed. Funny thing is it didn't do it for the first 25k miles. When she told me about the problem, I told her that they would probably need to lube the yolk. They didn't even try to do that! I'm not a mechanic, but there is definitely something wrong with this truck.

I called a couple of different dealers and was advised that even if you make an appointment with the factory tech, he will not do anything and simply state that the vehicle is operating within the specs it was designed.

I think it is important that we all go through the steps, and even file the lemon paperwork. Hopefully Toyota will understand that even if the truck is operating as designed, they have alot of unhappy customers.

THIS IS HOW PEOPLE WILL GO BACK TO DOMESTICS IF THEY EVER GET THEIR HEADS ON STRAIGHT!!


TOYOTA BETTER TAKE CARE OF CUSTOMERS, OTHERWISE THEY WILL ALSO BE.

[DJM86]

Originally Posted by EVOL ARDNUT

THIS IS HOW PEOPLE WILL GO BACK TO DOMESTICS IF THEY EVER GET THEIR HEADS ON STRAIGHT!!


TOYOTA BETTER TAKE CARE OF CUSTOMERS, OTHERWISE THEY WILL ALSO BE.

Well, if Toyota does not fix this problem, I will definitely not buy another Toyota truck. I see a GM 2500 in my future.....I would have bought the diesel but couldn't afford it.

On a side note some of the responses that people have gotten, myself included, from Toyota that the truck is functioning as designed and that the clunk/thud is not inhibiting the function of the truck. A bunch of crap if you ask me. If it was designed that way, then why don't all of the Tundras do it?

That's my rant for the day.

[bretsuaz]

Originally Posted by DJM86

Well, if Toyota does not fix this problem, I will definitely not buy another Toyota truck. I see a GM 2500 in my future.....I would have bought the diesel but couldn't afford it.

On a side note some of the responses that people have gotten, myself included, from Toyota that the truck is functioning as designed and that the clunk/thud is not inhibiting the function of the truck. A bunch of crap if you ask me. If it was designed that way, then why don't all of the Tundras do it?

That's my rant for the day.

Heres a pic of a 99 Taco I bought last month to resell. It had the dreaded clunk, and it drove me crazy! If my truck starts doing this, I am gonna be pissed! It appears that this problem has been around for some time. If they are not going to improve the design, you would think Toyota would have the dealers lube up the yolk.... without charging the customer, to keep us happy. Every dealer I talked to said it was a maintenance issue and would run $50 - $60.

[Silverback707]

I have been all over the net, looking for answers regarding my truck. I have to say that this thread is as close as it gets to addressing my issue.

I have a 2008 Tundra Crewmax TRD, and it's obvious I am not the only one with a "clunk sensation" at takeoff. It is less noticeable when the outside temp is cooler. If you just pull your foot off the break and let the idle take you, there is nothing. But even when in motion, if you throttle it even the slightest bit, you feel a slip-then-catch (clunk) sensation in the rear-end. I have never heard of or driven a vehicle that has done this.

I noticed the issue early on, and it has been driving me nuts ever since. I have had my truck to the dealership 9 times.

1. Reason: Dropped off to have them inspect clunk sensation.
Result: Service Dept. said everthing was fine and within specs, no
error codes, unable to duplicate condition.

2. Reason: To have Tech ride along and verify condition.
Result: Tech agreed that there was an issue, appt. set for inspection.

3. Reason: Dropped off for inspection/repair.
Result: Service Dept. said a TSB was being issued and they would
call when they received it.

4. Reason: Drop off for repair.
Result: Driveshaft and support bearing replaced per TSB.

5. Reason: To have Tech ride along to verify condition still present.
Result: Same Tech not available, condition verified by Service Writer.
Appt. made for inspection/repair.

6. Reason: Drop off for inspection/repair.
Result: Same Service Writer who verified condition 3 days earlier said
his Tech was unable to duplicate. Service Writer said he then
drove another Tundra on lot to compare to my truck. After
comparing, he stated that what I was feeling was "normal
driveshaft movement". This was after he confirmed something
was wrong 3 days earlier.

7. Reason: To have original Tech ride along and verify condition still present.
Result: Tech confirmed condition still present. Appt. made to
inspect/repair.

8. Reason: Drop off to have new gear box/transfer case installed.
Result: Picked up 2 weeks later to find gear box untouched, but front
differential and front axels changed per TSB. Service Dept. said
faulty bearing wasn't getting lubed enough and it was causing it to
drag and load up rear-end. Was told "condition was eliminated".

9. Reason: To have Head Tech verify condition still present.
Result: After 30 mins. of evaluation, Head Tech verified
abnormality/condition. Service Manager stated he would have
Toyota Engineers come and look at my truck to resolve.

After waiting a week, I received a call from Service Manager. He stated that they pulled 3 trucks from their lot, and all of them had the same condition as mine. He said that it was normal and there was no fix at this time. He said it was a valve opening at take off and that was causing the sensation. Basically, I was told that it was all normal. So, my truck spent approx. 18 days in the shop and had the driveshaft replaced along with the front-end and axels, in an attempt to fix something that was "normal".

After hearing that the "clunk sensation" was within Toyota's standards, I told myself that that was my last Toyota. Even though my Buddy's 2001 Tacoma has 295,000 miles and is still pulling strong. I know that all vehicles have issues, but when the maker refuses to address it and fix it, I feel it is time to move on.

I love my truck, but the clunk is like trying to enjoy a new pair of shoes with a rock in each one. Besides the fact that when you take off, you feel like you have a broken transmission mount or something.

WHERE DO I GO FROM HERE? Ford F-250?

[DJM86]

Silverback - Welcome to the clunk club. I've been through the same thing as you. Toyota corporate reassured me that they are aware of the clunk problem and are looking into a fix above and beyond the TSB. Take that for what it's worth. All we can do is keep each other informed of new info we find out.
I'm going to look into lubing the propeller shaft. That seemed to work for others.

[chargedtaco01]

I have the clunk issue as well and had posted in another thread a while back that once my dealer broke the drive shaft down and added the grease to the slip yoke the problem was solved...which it was for about 3k miles. The clunk is back now, not as bad as before but its definitely back. I dropped my truck off this morning at my dealer. They apparently had talked to toyota technical and i think are having them look at it. I should know more later today (i hope).

Originally Posted by DJM86

Silverback - Welcome to the clunk club. I've been through the same thing as you. Toyota corporate reassured me that they are aware of the clunk problem and are looking into a fix above and beyond the TSB. Take that for what it's worth. All we can do is keep each other informed of new info we find out.
I'm going to look into lubing the propeller shaft. That seemed to work for others.

[Jasper7821]

Just got back from a trip to Arizona over Thanksgiving and after driving for hours the clunk sound and feel increased a huge amount. Seems when the truck is cold it barely does it, but after driving for a while is absolutly horrible.
It's was even clunking when it shifted from first to second a few times.
I have 2 friends that have tundra's and theirs don't do it.

I'm aksing for anyone's help who lives in or near Orange County and has the driveshaft clunk/thump problem.

My arbitration meeting is set for Dec 16th 10:30 am at Toyota of Orange
Please email me if your interested
Thanks,

Also, in case you don't read the entire thread, here's the case managers number from the settlement prgram who can help everyone tremendously

Kristin Medynski
Case Administrator
866-727-8119 x125
kmedynski@ncdsusa.org