Clunk noise from rear when releasing breaks

[2005BlackBeauty]

I have a 2005 new to me LC and it has a clunk that I can feel when I release the breaks. Happens 60-70% of the time probably. I’ve combed through the forum and found posts on ‘the clunk’ but they’re about gear shifting. I heard from a buddy that the fix is to replace the rear flanges.

Has anyone had this issue and if so, how did you fix it?

 

[Ayune]

Don’t know what “rear flanges” are, but try lubing the driveshaft slip joint:

The OFFICIAL clunk/thunk driveshaft thread

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[jsloden]

It could be one of a number of things. Trans mounts, rear control arms, front diff mounts, u-joints. Most people just learn to live with it. If you're positive it's coming from the rear though I would lean toward u-joints or rear control arms. It could also be the splines but I would lean toward the other two first.

 

[abuck99]

I chased this for a while. The rear lower (and prob rear upper) control arm bushings are worn. As you come to a stop the arms settle, as you let off the brake the drive line takes up the slack and you get that thud after releasing the brake pedal.

If you have a daily driver, do not replace with poly bushing & steel sleeves- these will wear out faster than oem rubber. Replace the rubber bushes with oem or get new arms-

 

[Malleus]

When I bought my new 2004, it would slam your head into the headrest at stops. The dealership could never figure out whether to put too much or not enough grease in the rear shaft slip joint. Once I took it apart, claend it and regreased it, the problem went from ridiculous to annoying, but it was always there. It's someone else's problem now.

 

[2005BlackBeauty]

I chased this for a while. The rear lower (and prob rear upper) control arm bushings are worn. As you come to a stop the arms settle, as you let off the brake the drive line takes up the slack and you get that thud after releasing the brake pedal.

If you have a daily driver, do not replace with poly bushing & steel sleeves- these will wear out faster than oem rubber. Replace the rubber bushes with oem or get new arms-

It sounds like you had the exact same issue. Did you replace the rubber bushes and get new arms? I’m not as well versed as most on this forum — are those both the technical names of the parts I’d want to talk with my mechanic about? He’s a LC specialist but hadn’t heard of this issue when I brought it up to him. Thanks for sharing your insight.

When I bought my new 2004, it would slam your head into the headrest at stops. The dealership could never figure out whether to put too much or not enough grease in the rear shaft slip joint. Once I took it apart, claend it and regreased it, the problem went from ridiculous to annoying, but it was always there. It's someone else's problem now.

It sounds like we may have slightly different issues, my head isn’t being pushed forward. It’s just a light clunk when releasing the brakes.

It could be one of a number of things. Trans mounts, rear control arms, front diff mounts, u-joints. Most people just learn to live with it. If you're positive it's coming from the rear though I would lean toward u-joints or rear control arms. It could also be the splines but I would lean toward the other two first.

Thanks for your response, it’s in line with what another poster said about their rig. Definitely coming from the rear.

 

[abuck99]

It sounds like you had the exact same issue. Did you replace the rubber bushes and get new arms? I’m not as well versed as most on this forum — are those both the technical names of the parts I’d want to talk with my mechanic about? He’s a LC specialist but hadn’t heard of this issue when I brought it up to him. Thanks for sharing your insight.

I have adjustable upper and lower rear control arms with articulating johnny joints, and poly bushes on the opposite end. My worn poly bushes would have resulted in a little more play and wear than what you would experience with OEM. But inspect the bushes for looseness (mounting bolts), cracks, or separation and movement. FYI Mevotec offers a decent quality upper and lower replacement if you're on a budget.

If you search for the "driveline "thud" when letting off brakes" on the entire forum or internet you'll find that its pretty common issue from Tacomas', FJ cruiser, 4 runners to 80 series and some 100's. You can try to lube the driveshaft to rule that out- (won't cost you anything) but that's likely not the issue.

How many miles on your truck?

 

[2005BlackBeauty]

Don’t know what “rear flanges” are, but try lubing the driveshaft slip joint:

The OFFICIAL clunk/thunk driveshaft thread

forum.ih8mud.com

I have adjustable upper and lower rear control arms with articulating johnny joints, and poly bushes on the opposite end. My worn poly bushes would have resulted in a little more play and wear than what you would experience with OEM. But inspect the bushes for looseness (mounting bolts), cracks, or separation and movement. FYI Mevotec offers a decent quality upper and lower replacement if you're on a budget.

If you search for the "driveline "thud" when letting off brakes" on the entire forum or internet you'll find that its pretty common issue from Tacomas', FJ cruiser, 4 runners to 80 series and some 100's. You can try to lube the driveshaft to rule that out- (won't cost you anything) but that's likely not the issue.

How many miles on your truck?

She has 150k and was serviced at the dealership her entire life. Wasn’t off roaded by the previous owner and I intend to use her as a DD with the occasional trip camping, but no real off-roading planned. My research online didn’t lead me to finding this issue exactly, but appreciate you confirming it exists with others. I have to admit that I got ahead of myself and purchased the items in the attached photo as I was told this would fix the issue. Should have done more research first.

 

[Ayune]

Front drive flanges will help with a D-N-R shifting clunk for sure. But a clunk-after-every-stop-when-I-release-the-brakes is more likely a driveshaft slip joint or control arm bushing issue. The rear axle is allowed to “wind up” as you’re slowing down & stopping, and is held in that state until you release the brakes and the system can relax with a clunk.

 

[KMac100]

I chased this for a while. The rear lower (and prob rear upper) control arm bushings are worn. As you come to a stop the arms settle, as you let off the brake the drive line takes up the slack and you get that thud after releasing the brake pedal.

If you have a daily driver, do not replace with poly bushing & steel sleeves- these will wear out faster than oem rubber. Replace the rubber bushes with oem or get new arms-

This appears to be my identical symptoms as well. Thanks.