Greetings everyone, I'm new to the site. I have a 97 4runner limited 4x4 with the v6. I have a problem with the rear end that I wanted to get some advice on. I noticed another viewer (name="carsick") had the same prob. and he got some advice from one person. I wanted to repost the problem and get a little more advice because I cant email "carsick" because it is blocked.
The problem is in the rear of the vehicle. Whenever I bring the Yota to a stop and release the brake (no matter how I have been stopped) to take off again there is a very noticible thump in the rear end. Carsick recieved advice to grease the splines and u-joints w/ molly grease and it seemed to work for him. At the risk of sounding ignorant, where are the splines? Also, any other 4runner owners with this prob. let me know your solutions.
Thanks
johnnydc@comcast.net

The splines he is referring to is the "Splined" end to the drive shaft that connects into the transmission. The drive shaft is the long tub component that runs from about the middle of the vehicle to the rear end. There are ujoints at either end of the drive shafe and have grease nipples on them. The nipples look sort of like a small metal plug about the size of a tic tac (maybe a little larger) and have a small hole in the center. There is a special grease gun that you can buy for a few bucks that will all you to inject grease into these areas.

Good luck and don't "Over Grease"

That is the only solution. Don't look for other solutions, this is as cheap and easy as it gets.

Pump in grease until you see it coming back out nearby. The splines take alot of grease. You don't need to put much grease in the u-joints. Don't forget the front propellor shaft (drive shaft) also.

The only way this won't help is if the splines have never been greased and they are worn out.

You actually can't see the splines themselves. They are protected by a dust shield. They are sliding fittings that allow the propeller shafts to lengthen and shorten as the suspension travels.

LanPhantom is describing the 2WD setup where the propeller shaft inserts into the transmission. In the 4WD, the propeller shaft bolts to the back of the transfer case and has splines in the middle of the propeller shaft instead of in the tail of the transmission.

I have the same problem on a 1998 4Runner 4X4. I am wondering if Johnnydc got his problem solved? I need to try it.

Try it - it usually solves the problem and is cheap.

i have the same problem on my 99 4runner 2wd.
and i could not find any grease nipples on the drive shaft. how do i greese the splines?

The fittings for the splines are next to the u-joints.

Thanks a lot Brain R.
I'll look for it tonite.

The fittings for the splines are next to the u-joints.
Hi Brian R. I could not find any fittings on the drive shaft, on both sides.
maybe 2wd setup is not the same as 4wd.
Thanks anyways

You're right. The 2WD propeller shaft doesn't have splines as I described. In that case, the give in the length of the propeller shaft is in a sleeve yolk that splines into the tail of the transmission. The 4WD rear propeller shaft runs from the rear differential to the transfer case, not the transmission. Only the 4WD has the splines on the propeller shaft with grease fittings. I was talking to johnnydc and jptester about their 4WDs and didn't notice you brought up a 2WD vehicle. Sorry for the confusion.

Your rear stabilizer bar might be sticking in the bushings. Replacing the rear stabilizer bar bushings is cheap and easy. Might also be shocks. Bounce the truck up and down while someone locates the noise, if you can duplicate it.

Hi Brian R. I could not find any fittings on the drive shaft, on both sides.
maybe 2wd setup is not the same as 4wd.
Thanks anyways

That's a good idea, i'll check it this weekend and keep you posted
thanks again.

Hi Brain R.
Well u r correct, the problem of the thumb is the result of sticking rubber bushings. what i did for now is just sprying a little wd-40 on them, and the problem is gone. if the problem will come back then i'll replace all the rubber bushings.
Thanks again...

The problem with the stabilizer bars is that they rust where they contact the bushings. The rusty stabilizer bar is rough and grinds away at the bushing surface. You don't have to replace all the bushings, only the one that is making the noise.

If you replace the bushings, take a long strip of emory cloth and clean up the surface of the stabilizer bar where the bushing rubs, like you're buffing your shoes. Then put on the new bushing. Oil will probably not solve your problem for long.

I greased all the fittings and the sounds was reduced greatly but it was still there. I had the tires changed (not for this reason, I just needed new ones) and the sound seemed to go away all together. I think what is happening is that the front drive system gets out of sync with the back one and when you stop it 'binds up slightly". Then when you let off the brake the system relaxes and makes that slight thump noise as it's lining itself back up. I have noticed that after I stop at a light if I left of the brake peddle it will release the pressuse on the rear part of the system and allow it to relax. I have added this into my daily driving and it seems to be working well.

Hope this helps.

LanPhantom

If you've got a 3rd gen 4Runner, then you shouldn't use the 4WD in situations where there could be binding between the front and rear wheels. Don't use 4WD when you have normal traction. Only use it where there is poor traction so that there is no binding in the drive train.