Clunk when shifting into drive

I have a 2007 Sequoia with 174k miles. There’s a clunk when shifting from reverse into drive coming from the rear.

I’ve had it to three mechanics. I’ve been told it’s not the U joint, it’s normal for a vehicle this old and it’s nothing to worry about.

I’d still like to find out what’s going on and fix it if possible. Any ideas what the problem is?

 

2WD model?

That year model doesn’t have greaseable/serviceable joints or we’d all be screaming at you to grease your driveshaft.

Obvious culprits would be u-joints (you have at least two), center support bearing, transmission mounts.

 

4wd. Thanks.

 

A video looking at the driveline and rear suspension while cycleing between R&D should help. Lots of bushings in the rear 4 link.

 

I was just about to scream at him to grease his driveshaft

This is the winner right here. Got a friend who trusts you, or a decent smartphone camera stand? The little smartphone tripods with pivoting balls for legs are great for stuff like this, just don't run over the phone.

 

When i was little, like 6-8, my dad had my cousins late 80's tbird on ramps up front, and a floor jack under the back. I think they were hunting a bent axle kinda vibration, had the car idleing in gear, and someone leaned against the front of the car and it rolled down the ramps back into the nose of dads truck and the shock dropped the axle off the jack, and the car drove back up the ramps and high centered itself before driving through the garage. I was at the kitchen table doing homework, and saw everything from inside. Havent let that die yet, usually bring it up at thanksgiving.

 

so place a phone looking up at the rear axle area and video it while switching back drive and reverse?

 

Yes. Axle and suspension and drive line/ ujoints

 

U joint and rear video https://youtu.be/CgOVI7TBItg

 

Loose pinion or worn out bearing?

 

Sounds more like something broken internally. Thats a pretty distinct clunk or thunk.

I'd be pulling the 3rd member. Or at least disconnect the driveshaft and see if you can make the noise by turning the pinion flange.

 

I also thought a loose ring gear or axles and echo, but to fix the pinion, you'll encounter the ring gear.

 

This ^^

With headphones on, spatially it sounds like it's coming from the 3rd member to me. But it's strange it sounded louder to me in that last bit under the swaybar.

 

So after three independent mechanics couldn’t identify the source of the sound I finally gave in and took it to the dealer. The service guy said two techs and the service manager couldn’t find anything wrong. I played the recording for the manager and he then came out to listen to vehicle with me. He basically said it’s nothing to worry about, even new trucks make sounds like that and to bring it back if it gets worse. I mentioned the third member idea, but he just shrugged.

I’m not sure of my next step will, but no one seems to think it’s serious. One of the independent guys suggested taking it to a transmission place for another diagnosis.

Thank you all for your input.

 

Sound can move around alot. The stethoscope idea is helpful for sure. Also remember you can place your hand on the drive shaft and differential housing and feel for the clunk from either of those locations. Just gotta be super careful being under a running vehicle that is in gear.

At :03 we are hearing the clunk a fraction of a second earlier than seeing the u-joint flange move. My point being if the driveshaft were twisting upon being placed in gear, and that twisting was causing the pinion to slap the ring gear due to too much play in the interface, I would think we should hear the thunk at the end of the twisting motion, not the start.

This observation may be caused by video/sound delay and/or limitations of iphone recording technology, but thought it was worth sharing.