Tailshaft Clunk

[Rusty62 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rusty62]

I have a 120 series and had the shaft replaced under warranty with the updated shaft. Still clunks unless you really fill it up with grease and lasts (4 weeks) then the usual clunk is back. Can renew the shaft at Harding Spicer for about $500. First shaft lasted about 40k, second one about the same then ran out do warranty. What is the point of putting in the same shaft if the problem remains.
Insanity - doing the same thing and expecting a different result.

[diesel69em Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close diesel69em]

Had mine greased today, noticeably better. Will see how long it lasts.

When mine was greased at the last service it was good for about 3 weeks then quickly got noticeably worse than it previously had been.

I spoke to the service manager and he ordered a replacement, which has finally arrived on a slow boat from Japan and been fitted , am just about to go for a drive and see if it has fixed the problem.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

With the 150s that little bit older, has anyone had a tailshaft replaced out of warranty? Mine has only just started doing it at 63k (dec 09 model).

I would have thought that you had rights under consumer law as it's a known design fault.

[brock05 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brock05]

Had mine greased today, noticeably better. Will see how long it lasts.

Not very long at all, whilst not as bad as what it was. The dreaded clunk/thud is back. Was lucky to get 50kms out of it before it returned.

[brock05 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close brock05]

When mine was greased at the last service it was good for about 3 weeks then quickly got noticeably worse than it previously had been.

I spoke to the service manager and he ordered a replacement, which has finally arrived on a slow boat from Japan and been fitted , am just about to go for a drive and see if it has fixed the problem.

Let us know how the new shaft goes. How many times did they do the regrease on yours before you were able to get it replaced.

[reggie426 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reggie426]

Had mine in for the 30k service at Grand Toyota on Friday (even though it's 5k short of 30k, but anyway....) and mentioned the tailshaft clunking, the service guys said yep, know all about it, theres a service bulletin for it and they'll grease it up. So far, going well. What a difference! Will see how long it takes before it comes back.

[georgev Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close georgev]

Had mine in as well for a 30K service like reggie426 last week. Same issue with the tailshaft clunking. I mentioned it to Toyota and they new the exact problem. They greased it up. It's does make a huge difference. It feels great. How long will it last though? Replacing the tailshaft won't fix the ongoing issue. They are only treating the symptom as far as I am concerned. Surely vehicles 60k+ shouldn't have this problem. Apparently, all 4x4s have this problem according to the experts.

Anyone care to comment?

Thanks

[Gordon Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordon]

I had both prop shafts replaced in my 120, but for a different reason. In both of them the welch plugs in the ends of the tailshaft were leaking, so grease just poured out behind the universal joint when I was trying to grease the splines. Had I not noticed this would have eventually led to dry splines which would cause the clunking sound when the tailshaft length adjusts with settling suspension when you pull up. So if the welch plug leak is a common problem, it could be the origin of the clunk. Any clunkers wanna squirt some grease in and keep watch?

[Gordon Member Find all posts View Profile Close Gordon]

Eh hem... just popped my head under a friends 55,000km 150 which had been "serviced" about 5,000km ago. Prop shafts dry as a dingo's dangler. Grease nipples were reluctant to open up... could be it has never had any grease through it... Worth checking your mechanic's work folks, no matter what your relationship is

[reggie426 Member Find all posts View Profile Close reggie426]

A week later, no return of the clunk. Fingers crossed its all good. Massive difference, pleasure to stop now!

[fido666 Banned Find all posts View Profile Close fido666]

Replacing the tailshaft won't fix the ongoing issue. They are only treating the symptom as far as I am concerned.

The dealer keeps trying to tell me that replacing the tailshaft is not the answer yet the majority on here who have had a replacement would say otherwise. They greased the crap out of mine at the last service, noticed that when it was up on the hoist at the Vic tech day recently. TBH I've never had a massive problem with the clunk but have noticed it a few times on stopping and sometimes taking off, have only done about 6,000kms since purchasing the Prado late last year though. It's been greased twice in that time, once as a seperate job because I complained and then at the next service because I said it had returned.

[Jeffers Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Jeffers]

The dealer keeps trying to tell me that replacing the tailshaft is not the answer yet the majority on here who have had a replacement would say otherwise. They greased the crap out of mine at the last service, noticed that when it was up on the hoist at the Vic tech day recently. TBH I've never had a massive problem with the clunk but have noticed it a few times on stopping and sometimes taking off, have only done about 6,000kms since purchasing the Prado late last year though. It's been greased twice in that time, once as a seperate job because I complained and then at the next service because I said it had returned.

Replacing the tailshaft IS the answer and it WILL fix the problem.

Mine had all the symptoms of the clunking and was greased on one occasion. About a week after the greasing the symptoms started again and I went back to the dealer and told them I want the replacement tailshaft which at that time they told me it was a known issue and ordered me the replacement tailshaft.
Since I have had the replacement I have not noticed any clunking or nudging when stopped at traffic lights. The car drives much better.

The replacement 100% fixes the problem... Greasing is a bandaid not a fix.

Cheers,

Jeff

[Rogerthatv2 Avid PP Poster! Find all posts View Profile Close Rogerthatv2]

Replacing the tailshaft IS the answer and it WILL fix the problem.

Mine had all the symptoms of the clunking and was greased on one occasion. About a week after the greasing the symptoms started again and I went back to the dealer and told them I want the replacement tailshaft which at that time they told me it was a known issue and ordered me the replacement tailshaft.
Since I have had the replacement I have not noticed any clunking or nudging when stopped at traffic lights. The car drives much better.

The replacement 100% fixes the problem... Greasing is a bandaid not a fix.

Cheers,

Jeff

Fully agree, had mine replaced in Thursday / Friday during its 60K service. What a massive difference! It was greased 2 services ago but only lasted a couple of weeks. Thanks for the heads up Jeffers / VeeZees.

[Riv39 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close Riv39]

As I said before on this thread the new shaft costs big $$ so they don't want to change it out. But as Jeff, others and myself have said it is the ONLY TRUE fix for the problem.

[bertram35 Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bertram35]

It's a no-brainer......as Riv39 has said many times.....you'll probably need to fight for a replacement...but it absolutely fixes the problem.
Don't take no for an answer. I had a shouting match because Chatswood Toyota (sydney) denied all knowledge of problem and as my car was on last service prior to end of warranty I wasn't taking no for an answer. Finally after 2 days of heated discussion they agreed - new shaft ordered from japan and installed a month later.
Problem gone - since done 20,000kms and not one bump.