Clunking in rear when coming to a stop

[Guest Close Guest]

Hi all,

I have a frustrating problem that would appear to be quite common, looking at other forums globally.

The problem is a clunking sound and feeling when coming to a stop at traffic lights. At times it is worse, but it can be best described as though someone has just tail ended you. Or like the transmission has just caught up to the fact the you have now stopped and then very harshily changes down. The driveline feels like it winds up when stopping and then releases.

There are two options that I am looking at present
- The torque convertor lockup
- Backlash in rear diff assembly

Has anyone experienced this before if so have you managed to cure it

Thank in advance for any help or comments that anyone might have.

Best Regards,

[Guest Close Guest]

My advice...take it to a mechanic.

[Guest Close Guest]

Clucnk in rear of Prado

Hey thanks for reading...I am a mechanic

I am positive that it is in the drive train.
I am a mechanic and due to the fact this happens intermittently and it is difficult to load the vehicle whilst up in the air on the hoist is very difficult to find. I believe it to be somewhere in the trans. Either valve body or torque converter lock up, It is a similar problem to that experienced in Holden Commodores where the trans fluid cavitates and then takes a gulp of fluid thereby downshifting to 1st gear very harshly.

The VX cruiser had a problem also very similar where the resin impregnated washer in the lock of the torque converter was binding. A vibration is felt as you brake and the lock up engages and disengages erratically this was rectified when Toyota recalled the vehicles and replaced the torque converter and the fix also incorporated a change in the above mentioned washer to a roller bearing.

Best regards,

[bitdist Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bitdist]

Mine did this from new. Sometimes really bad and sometimes not so bad
It just had its first service and as soon as I mentioned it the Toyota guy just said "lubricate the rear tail shaft"
I guess that is what they did cause it is fine now

[xvprado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close xvprado]

3 options to consider
The sender in the fuel tank has a noise like stones rolling around in the back, this is a known fault and they replace the tank

Brake caliper movement, rare but it has happened, only in the rear

Rear prop shaft gets sticky and needs greasing, PROPERLY

[Guest Close Guest]

I had a clunking in the rear when coming to a stop as well. At the 10k service they lubed the rear slip joints (on tailshaft I think?) NO more clunk, hasnt happened once in 2000 kms since.

Just ask toyota to check and grease (maybe buff if tight) the Slip joint.



I think the grease nipple shown lubricates it as well?

[bmurray2250 Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close bmurray2250]

I had a simular issue but was fixed when Toyota did the safty recall on the rear alxes. Never heard since.

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

Same problem, greasing the slip joint seems to have eliminated it