Weird downshift feeling (1 Viewer)

[LockedCollector]

Need some direction,

Whenever I am coming to a stop I feel the downshift....kinda like when a u-joint goes bad. I took it to Toyota and they told me they couldn't replicate this and that it was perfectly fine. Aanyone experience this? Any part I can replace? Could it be weak suspension as I feel it kinda lose when I hit a dip etc? Worst part is that I haven't really taken it seriously off road, except for Thrill on the Hill which was easy to moderate. Any guidance is appreciated.

 

[BigSwede]

Are you talking about a sort of "lurch" or kick in the pants right when you come to an abrupt stop? There is a TSB out for the driveshaft slip joint binding. I just had my driveshaft replaced under warranty. It is TSB 0046-12.

 

[iwashmycar]

Yep...if you are out of warranty (5yr./60K miles), aside from dropping coin on a new drive shaft, you can just keep all the zerks lubed up well.

 

[LockedCollector]

Typical. I had taken it in with this problem to Toyota dealer where they couldn't find anything wrong with it. So this won't be covered under drivetrain warranty?

 

[LockedCollector]

68k miles

 

[BigSwede]

Intermittent problems like that are sometimes difficult to verify. My dealer did the same thing, so I sent them a grumpy email explaining that the TSB exactly described my symptoms and I didn't understand why they were resisting replacing the driveshaft since it was under warranty. They caved immediately.

If you were under warranty when you took it in the first time for this problem, they should be able to look up your account and verify you were under warranty at the time and honor it now. But you might have to be the squeaky wheel so to speak.

 

[BMThiker]

Properly lubing the drive (propeller) shaft slip joint addresses this issue (as mentioned by BigSwede). I think there is a superceded part number for the shaft now, but a little maintenance makes this a non issue.

 

[LockedCollector]

I will for sure try that first. Thanks for the advice.