LX450 Clunk between park/drive or reverse

[Rusty]

I didn't want to have to post this 'cause there's no doubt that someone has asked this before - but I couldn't find an answer...

I'm looking at buying a LX450 or FJZ80, as much as I love it I'm tired of chasing rust and mechanical/electrical demons in the old FJ60!

I found a fairly well looked after, all stock, one owner, low mileage '97 LX450, with diff locks, that I'm thinking of purchasing. Being a Lexus it is owned by big city "urbanites" that probably don't know what gravel or dirt look like. The truck is clean underneath and I'm sure that it hasn't been beaten, it has only seen trips to the mall.

Aside from a climate control issue (a/c not working, and the owner will have this fixed) the only problem with it, that I noticed, is that the driveline "clunks" when the tranny is shifted from park to drive or reverse or from drive to reverse. There are no noises when the truck is in motion, the tranny shifts smoothly and the truck drives fine.

To me this is most likely "u" joint slop, though I couldn't find any. I wasn't about to start greasing the driveline before the test drive but could this be all that it is?

I would hate to have to start digging into major driveline compontent issues right after I buy it. Anyone out there got any advice?

Cheers

 

[NLXTACY]

Definitely u-joints. Went through the same thing two years ago.

 

[Thermodyn]

Does the "clunk" sound like a honk or squeak? There is a TSB out on this. My LX does it as well. If it is the TSB issue, it isn't a big deal. It is just an annoying sound. My local dealer quoted me $375 for the work. The TSB calls for a check-ball to be added to the valve body.

The TSB is #TC001-98 "reverse to park/neutral chatter".

 

[Beowulf]

I would hate to have to start digging into major driveline compontent issues right after I buy it. Anyone out there got any advice?

Drive line slack is fairly common and usually not a problem. I believe you will find plenty of posts if you will search the 80-Section using keyword "clunk".

Nobody can say for sure if you have expensive problems or not but since you say the vehicle is low mileage then, more than likely, all it needs is lubrication. Slip joints and both unis on both propeller shafts.

-B-

 

[Chaldaean]

Does the "clunk" sound like a honk or squeak? There is a TSB out on this. My LX does it as well. If it is the TSB issue, it isn't a big deal. It is just an annoying sound. My local dealer quoted me $375 for the work. The TSB calls for a check-ball to be added to the valve body.

The TSB is #TC001-98 "reverse to park/neutral chatter".

Thermodyn, now-and-again while shifting, my LX honks like a squeezed goose (from somewhere) and your TC001-98 got me curious.

However, I think that Rusty's problem is going from Park to Reverse/Drive, which is the opposite case of the TSB (which is Reverse to Part/Neutral).

Does the goose honk both ways or just Reverse to Park/Neutral?

 

[CivicFerio]

My 97 Cruiser also has the honks coming out of reverse. It progressively gets louder the warmer the engine/transmission becomes. I wonder if the TSB TC00198 will fix this.

 

[450 Cruiser]

My LX honks. I can tell you that it sounds like a clunk from inside the rig but a honk from outside. Have an assistant shift it for you while standing a few feet away. You'll easily be able to tell the difference.

 

[Rusty]

Noises are the most difficult thing to put into words!

It isn't a squeek or a honk, its a clunk and a slight jerk that happens immediately after the drive line loads up after the shifter is moved from park into reverse or drive.

It also happened when I shifted the transmission from reverse into drive after backing out of a parking stall, that's where I first noticed it.

Thanks for everyone's suggestions.

Rusty

 

[CivicFerio]

My LX honks. I can tell you that it sounds like a clunk from inside the rig but a honk from outside. Have an assistant shift it for you while standing a few feet away. You'll easily be able to tell the difference.

I just hand an interesting observation today. I put the tranfer to low range and shift from reverse to neutral which normally makes the honking sound but it didn't, I tried several times to verify. I wonder if this sound is caused by something in the trasfer case high range.

 

[Makelo]

my LX has the same clunk when you start the truck (cold) and place it in reverse, drive or park. I'm pretty sure is a U-joint problem.

 

[BillyGoatMTB]

**Bump**

Any fix on the clunk between reverse and drive? I changed out my u-joints a few weeks ago all brand new factory Toyota. also changed out my motor mounts and transmission mount still got the clunk between drive and reverse.

I started thinking driveline slop I know it's normal for the 80s but I guess in the back of my mind I'm a little worried about the transfer case.

Thanks MUD