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Binding sound when accelerating in straight line

Discussion in '4th Gen 4Runners (2003-2009)' started by Joshuawhite1992, Dec 17, 2020.

  1. Dec 18, 2020 at 1:22 PM
    #31
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    I think only SAS 4runners had manual locking hubs but I will check and see if I’ve got them. That could be a pretty easy fix I think. Thanks!
     
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  2. Dec 18, 2020 at 1:24 PM
    #32
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    You don’t
     
  3. Dec 18, 2020 at 1:24 PM
    #33
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    Do you have zerk fittings on universals?..if so ..try a couple shots int each one..
     
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  4. Dec 18, 2020 at 1:26 PM
    #34
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    I do, I’m actually installing new u joints now hoping to get the prop shaft back in before dark and test drive it
     
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  5. Dec 18, 2020 at 1:35 PM
    #35
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Have you opened the fill plug for the front diff yet and checked the fluid ?
     
  6. Dec 18, 2020 at 2:11 PM
    #36
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    Not yet, I’ve been trying to get these weird u joints in this axle, I haven’t done one of these Toyota u joints before, the clips are on the inside instead of outside and they can’t be pushed through but I think I’ve got it. I will check the fluid here in a minute n see how quickly I can get this thing back in. You think for just moving around the parking lot gently I could get away with just 2 of the drive shaft bolts?
     
  7. Dec 18, 2020 at 2:13 PM
    #37
    newlife

    newlife Not all who wander are ...... squirrel

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    Possibly if you aren’t going super fast and put the bolts at opposing sides
     
  8. Dec 18, 2020 at 3:48 PM
    #38
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    It doesnt really matter...but..lol....i woulda change oil in tranfer case n differential n greases zerk fittings in the front drive shaft...1 1/2 hrs at tops....before i did anything else.
    Anticipation is hell..lol
     
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  9. Dec 18, 2020 at 3:53 PM
    #39
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    Lol I hear that! Front diff has new fluid now, didn’t look too bad I didn’t see any metallic flakes in it either, but it was kinda dark, not sure how much color has to do with the fluid. I wasn’t able to get the shaft in tho I will have to wait till tomorrow after work. I’m really hoping we have made some improvement with new fluid at the proper level and brand new u joints, thanks for everyone’s input!!
     
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  10. Dec 18, 2020 at 3:56 PM
    #40
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    Pease dont leave us hangin!....inquiring minds have to know..lol....GOOD LUCK!
     
  11. Dec 18, 2020 at 3:58 PM
    #41
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    thanks! Lol I will post a video tomorrow if the sound is any different!
     
  12. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:39 PM
    #42
    Jimmy.Dean

    Jimmy.Dean New Member

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    Oh my friggin' god, FINALLY! It was meant to be. I have the exact same problem as you! Been searching for answers for anything similar for ANY car. It just popped up overnight a couple weeks ago while driving from NYC, and at first it felt like my transmission was slipping at highway speeds. It wasn't until I exited the freeway when I really noticed the chatter beneath me. When moderately accelerating from a stop a very audible CLACK*CLACK*CLACK*CLACK*CLACK erupts beneath me like a rising rollercoaster. It's very unsettling because if you accelerate too fast the whole truck will buck like a bull.

    I've checked and refilled the front differential, transfer case, rear differential, transmission fluid, and pounded the zerks full of grease to no avail. After thoroughly researching all different assortments of noises and problems, I came to the conclusion that it has to be my u-joint. The noise was rotational, the spinning racket was tied to my acceleration somehow. I cracked the case! Confidently I crawled under my car and gave the driveshaft a good shake to check for any play in the u-joints but it was as stiff as a girder. NOTHING! To hell with it, I proclaimed! Just because it isn't loose doesn't mean it isn't busted, or seized. I lifted the 4Runner and spun the wheels and driveshaft to observe any binding, nada. I attempted to remove the nuts and bolts to free the front driveshaft and examine the u-joints. It wouldn't break that thing was stuck as a duck. I even jammed my M12 Fuel 1/4 impact wrench in there and it wouldn't budge!

    So today I went to the dealership to get some answers from the professionals. I explained the situation about my driveshaft, that it's jammed as a mofo and needs to be dropped because one of the u-joints has seized. Check the slip yoke too, I proclaim. Finally, some answers! Wrong. They come back and guess what they tell me? They tell me it's the lower control arm bushing. Like, really? I asked them if they test drove her and if they heard what I was talking about. They claimed yes. I highly doubt they dropped the driveshaft though as I had asked, it looks undisturbed.

    I know the LCA can make a clunking sound but it isn't rotationally tied to the tires. There is no friggin' way that sound is coming from the LCA. My bushings didn't visually look sharp but there's no play or noise coming from there. Otherwise, they would make one hell of a racket going over bumps. Heavy braking doesn't make a chirp in the LCA, only when accelerating I can consistently CLACK*CLACK*CLACK*CLACK*CLACK!!! I can get a couple CLACK*CLACK in reverse. Anytime under load it's clack city.

    After seeing your video I am positive we have the exact same driveshaft problem because it sounds exactly the same as mine! If the u-joints work for you, they will certainly work for me.

    Edit: 2003 Toyota 4Runner V8 Limited - 220K Miles
     
    Last edited: Dec 18, 2020
    Joshuawhite1992[OP] likes this.
  13. Dec 18, 2020 at 8:49 PM
    #43
    glwood54

    glwood54 Stop making me buy stuff!

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    Year? Model? Miles?
     
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  14. Dec 19, 2020 at 2:05 AM
    #44
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    well, hopefully we can both get this worked out, I’m installing the drive shaft with new u joints today after work and see what happens!
     
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  15. Dec 19, 2020 at 3:49 AM
    #45
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    I know a chain replacement was mentioned earlier in this thread but now I’m understanding maybe why that could be? Is it possible that because it ran without t case oil (who knows how long) that the chain stretched and is skipping a tooth? I read it was uncommon but happened to some over on a yota tech about swapping an FJ cruiser t case in.
     
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  16. Dec 19, 2020 at 3:53 AM
    #46
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Anything is possible at this point, that's a "morse" style chain, and it would have to have been run along time with out lube to stretch it that bad. How did the u-joint thing go? You're closing in on the problem, you'll have a "fresh" drivetrain in the process!
     
  17. Dec 19, 2020 at 3:55 AM
    #47
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    I don’t get off work till 12 today so I will reinstall then, I was just reading on my break and saw about the chain stretching and thought maybe that’s what I’m hearing was the chain skipping teeth. Would anything cause the gear teeth to get worn down enough the chain doesn’t grip like it should?
     
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  18. Dec 19, 2020 at 4:03 AM
    #48
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Lots of miles! Low lube levels, lots of 4-wheel drive time, that's what happened to the Chevy I told you about in post#8, just alot of use in 4WD
     
  19. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:12 AM
    #49
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    Just a thought....before u put your driveshaft back on...put it in 4 wd n see if you here the noise or anything. If it is the tranfer case...it may not do it since its under no load....just hope it was your ujoints.
    Figured it may save time putting on driveshaft n have to take it back off....
     
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  20. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:22 AM
    #50
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    Great idea, I think in my case it’s always in 4wd I only have modes low and high and but I will put it in low and see if it makes the sound. Thanks!
     
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  21. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:28 AM
    #51
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    You should have a button to the left of your steering column....when actuated....4wd lihgt n vsc light should be on ....
     
  22. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:28 AM
    #52
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    yeah I think that’s for locking the center diff, which for now I have to keep locked or the truck doesn’t move.
     
  23. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:37 AM
    #53
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    That only controls the actuator for 4wd...it should move regardless thru the rear wheel ....i have exact same year,engine n model as you..
    Unless im not seein somethin...it sounds strange to me..
     
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  24. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:41 AM
    #54
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    The plot thickens lol I may have more wrong with this thing then, when the center isn’t locked I just sit there and rev, when I had it on jackstands and it was unlocked only the front flange on the transfer case flange would spin, I thought I read it took the easiest path to rotate like a open differential, but if it’s not supposed to do that I might have something else wrong with this thing besides just that noise!
     
  25. Dec 19, 2020 at 5:43 AM
    #55
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    Well...you may be right....sounds screwy...ill wait to see what happens....never was in your situation....
    I do know when im in 4wd...this shows...when off...2wd
    1219200831a.jpg
     
  26. Dec 19, 2020 at 6:08 AM
    #56
    Toy4X4

    Toy4X4 New Member

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    Maybe a broken axle. Similar expierience with dump truck, broken axle shaft and would only move with power divider(locker) engaged. Just a thought.
     
  27. Dec 19, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #57
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    like a cv axle or like the axle shaft in the rear axle housing?
     
  28. Dec 19, 2020 at 7:35 AM
    #58
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    I have an additional VSC light on my dash that’s not illuminated in your picture. I’ll take a picture to see what it is!
     
  29. Dec 19, 2020 at 7:36 AM
    #59
    bear1998

    bear1998 New Member

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    Where are you roughly located Joshua....just curious....
     
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  30. Dec 19, 2020 at 7:39 AM
    #60
    Joshuawhite1992

    Joshuawhite1992 [OP] New Member

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    Florence kentucky 10 mins south of Cincinnati ohio
     

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