I've been getting a clunk sound coming from the front of my tC when I take off pretty hard or hit a little bump in the road when accelerating at even modest rates.

After troubleshooting myself unsucessfully for weeks, I went 'there',

So, I just got back from the dealer after they spent the whole day looking at it and not doing anything. Long story short, I have to bring the car back next week b/c there is something wrong with my driveshaft that is causing the clunk (not that they would tell me anything whatsoever, if it needs to be replaced, if it needs to be repairs, if my butt is on fire, or even if the sky is falling, nothing). So, I don't know what the problem is exactly, but it sure doesn't sound good! Anyone ever have a similar problem?

 

I didn't figure many responses b/c really, how many people know about this stuff, but someone on the forum mentioned that the driveshaft may just have to be tightened, but I wouldn't know how to go about doing that anyway!

 

correct me if im wrong but i dont think tc's have driveshafts....they have axels but i dont think they have driveshafts...but i could be wrong

 

I know driveshafts are usually found on rear-wheel drive vehicles...but hey, i'm no expert, i'm just repeating the exact words of the head tech (then again, maybe he's no expert, lol)

 

ya most of the time they b/s so they sound smart to try to make u buy stuff

 

probably, but this is warranty stuff...i'll post again on friday when I have another appt to update what happened

 

good luck and watching

 

Does your car have any mods??? My cars making a weird noise too! Im thinking of taking it into the dealer today.

 

Take a look at the profile. everything is in there

 

Some tech's call it drive shafts b/c of its job it still does the same job no matter what you call it driveshaft, drive axle, half shaft, cv axle, etc.

 

my friend just had an axle bust on her driving 70 mph down the highway. shes a girl that leased it no mods, never hard on it. the stupid scion dealer tried everything they claimed to not know how to fix it but told her not to drive it this was 100s of miles from home, she had to beg and complain but finally got scion to pay for a rental. they told her they were replacing the tranny then found out it was just an axle. if your anywhere near columbia missouri dont go to whatever the scion dealer there is

 

I'm glad to hear that the tech is possibly not a complete retard considering he is the head tech there. I am going to mention that I think it's the CV axle, but I called scion corp today to ask them about the whole existence of a driveshaft, of course you are right, they said its the cv axle, not driveshaft, but they told me not to be driving very much...my appt is on Friday and I have to get to school Wish me luck... This has become a nightmare after already bringing it to the dealer twice for this. I'm demanding a rental though, no way i'm waiting around for a 3rd time, I can make my voice heard! lol

 

Axles are cheap anyway

I blew out my passenger axle at the drag strip before.

The passenger side CV axle (which was called a driveshaft by your mechanic) is a two-piece design. Not only does it go into your differential and your wheel hub, but there's a center section as well. It acts as a damper and has 3 bolts holding it in place, unlike the driverside which is just the diff and the wheel hup.

There's a chance that this section could be damaged or loose. That could explain the clanking sound. The axle goes for about 350 for a full replacement, and an axle nut is about $2-3. If it's under warranty you wont have to worry anyway. It's only a 2-4 hour project to replace it. Honestly if I had the right socket and nut removal tool I could swith the whole axle assembly in less than an hour.

So fret not my friend! Good luck.

Joe

 

Thanks Joe. I just hope that this is really what it is...although it sounds logical. God knows they aren't going to take my suggestion though, they want the shop foreman to look at it - you all know how long that can take. BUT, its under warranty, so whatever. I'm goin in Friday, i'll update

 

Cool sounds good. Good luck.

 

I have seen a few tc's come through that had similar complaints. Most of the time it has been loose nuts on the strut from installing lowering springs. Try checking all your mounting nuts and making sure they are tight aswell.

 

Thanks for the tip, but that was the first thing i thought of also and they are nice and tight. Anyway, I think the symptoms would be slightly different if that were the issue

 

Another possibility was clearance issues if you have a Hotchkis front upper strut bar. This has been known to produce similar symptoms.

 

I'm actually using the DC front strut bar, and it is fairly close, but that was one of my initial thoughts, so I tested it out and even moved those sensors attached to the intake just incase that was it - obviously no luck.