Three New Driveshafts? Need Advice Quickly, Please.

[KMGHMG]

Hey Guys,

My beloved 1999 LX was hit by a semi about 10 days ago. Time for a "new" 100. I've found a 2007 that I'm interested in. About 140k on the clock. But, I'm spooked. The service records show that the owner had Lexus replace the driveshaft due to the infamous "clunk" THREE times - at 63k, 84k, and 92k. Then at 136k there's an entry in the Lexus system saying that the owner still hears a clunk "when he gets to a final stop and lets off the brakes".

Should I run the other direction? I know "the clunk" is common, but this problem has really dogged this particular 100.

Many thanks,
Matt

 

[Hayes]

Have you driven it?

 

[KMGHMG]

Hayes,

Great question. No I haven't. It's about 100 miles away.

Thanks,
Matt

 

[Hayes]

I guess I'd say that I would not rule it out based only on the reported "thunk." As you point out, some drivetrain noise is part of these vehicles. Ultimately I'd want to drive it and make the call myself.

 

[04UZJ100]

Probably some anal owner. Drive it and see for yourself.

 

[KMGHMG]

Agreed. Could be an extra-picky owner. But it really is surprising that 3 driveshafts replaced at such close intervals would still "clunk".

 

[jcrandall]

Would not bother me at all. Sounds like the normal clunk to me. Buy it, and pump it full of grease, or don't, depending on which thread you read!

 

[Todd Morris]

pump it full of grease and solve the problem, like I did.

honestly it sounds like a picky owner, and Lexus doing its best to make him happy

 

[bigredmachine]

grease it or if there is a clunk that's coming from the slip yoke you can clean and fix that easily. easy repair is remove the drive shaft, match mark the shaft and pull the slip yolk out, apply valve grinding compound with a little grease, remove the grease fitting and work the yolk in and out to clean up any crud on the spline. when its working smoothly clean out the valve grinding compound, reassemble and reinstall

 

[KMGHMG]

Many thanks, guys!