Clunking sound when hitting the gas at around 40 mph? Scared it’s the transmission

[benlandis24]

Last few days I’ve noticed a small clunking sound if I’m cruising between 30-40 mph and under 2000 rpm. If I’m already on the gas and press harder it’s smooth. It’s only if I totally let off the gas and then hit the gas again.

Has never happened from a stop or if I’m going over 50or so. I think it’s when I’m in a particular gear but not sure. I can feel the clunk through the pedal and it feels like it’s left front but I’m not totally sure. Could it be an axle?

It’s a 2005 with 230k. Maintenance is up to date. I am goi g to take it in next week hopefully just trying to figure out how careful I need to drive.

 

[Rednexus]

It's most likely the driveshaft slip yolks. They can make all sorts of clunking noises. I'd first give them a good greasing if you have not already. If they have not been greased in a long time it's possible they might need half a tube or more of grease. Both the front and rear driveshaft have the slip yolks. The grease zerk is on the driveshafts themselves, just after where they come out of the transmission. I like to grease them until the gun gets hard to pump or grease squeezes out of the slip yolk.

 

[captainva]

Start with max 6 pumps on the slip yoke. Too much grease in there will blow out the seal and ruin it long term

 

[benlandis24]

It's most likely the driveshaft slip yolks. They can make all sorts of clunking noises. I'd first give them a good greasing if you have not already. If they have not been greased in a long time it's possible they might need half a tube or more of grease. Both the front and rear driveshaft have the slip yolks. The grease zerk is on the driveshafts themselves, just after where they come out of the transmission. I like to grease them until the gun gets hard to pump or grease squeezes out of the slip yolk.

I will take a look when the rain stops. Thanks

 

[jiggletits]

Slip yokes. Buy OE Toyota driveshafts only. Grease them and u joints every oil change.

 

[Rednexus]

Start with max 6 pumps on the slip yoke. Too much grease in there will blow out the seal and ruin it long term

If it hasn't been greased in a long time (which is not uncommon), the yolks can be pretty dry and will still clunk with just a few pumps. I put 5-10 pumps in mine at every oil change for around 20K miles and it still clunked until I totally filled it with grease (verified by it seeping past the seals). Now I'm going to drop back down to 5 pumps for so at each oil change just to maintain levels.