Symptoms
A harsh jolt, as if you'd been rear-ended, when the transmission drops into first after the truck has been sitting in Drive. Toyota's bulletin covers 2007–2013 FJ Cruisers and Tacomas.
The fix, step by step
- Start with grease.
- A dry slip yoke binds and then lets go.
- Toyota's schedule says to lubricate the propeller-shaft spiders and slide yokes with lithium chassis grease, use molybdenum lithium grease on the double-cardan joint, and re-torque the shaft bolts.
- Do it every 5,000 miles if you drive on dirt or salted roads or tow.
- If the clunk survives a proper greasing and the driveshaft is confirmed as the cause, T-SB-0046-12 calls for a new rear driveshaft.
Tools & part numbers
- Grease gun with a needle or angled coupler
- lithium chassis grease
- moly grease for the double-cardan
- torque wrench.
Where to buy the parts
Drive shaftsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Universal jointsRockAuto ↗Amazon ↗
Hunting a used or discontinued part? Search eBay Motors for Toyota FJ Cruiser parts →
Rated for a competent home mechanic with a decent tool kit. Confirm torque figures, fluids and procedures against the factory service manual for your VIN, support the truck on stands rather than a jack, and work at your own risk (disclaimer). Some parts links are affiliate links, which pay us a small commission at no cost to you.