Today I was driving in high speed traffic that was moving between 70-90mph and all of a sudden I felt a big clunk through the floor from the drive shaft area.

I slowed down to 60 and tried to recreate the clunk safely, nothing. So, I accelerated back to a stable 85 where I then coasted for a few secs then I floored it where I felt a similar but smaller clunk.

The transmission is perfect in all gears at all speeds except for this glitch.

Anybody have any ideas what this could be?

Could it be the center support bearing that is going faulty? ( see pdf diagram)

 

Get up to speed (~60mph) and then let go of the pedal, and then apply throttle right away. If you feel the clunk, then it's your rubber couplings on the driveshaft.

It's a very common problem on the GS300s, it's just that most people do not notice it because they dont let go of the throttle and reapply throttle right away. You're looking at about $200 per coupling. The car needs 2 couplings.

 

Thanks for the quick reply GSTeg,

can you tell me which rubber grommets are gone on the shaft so I can have look?

Are they the large differntial cushion mounts? or the center bearing mounts? or the differential mounts? I cant find any others in my manual

 

They are the large rubber piece that is at the end of the driveshaft. It's sandwiched between the tranny itself and the driveshaft, and the second one is located between the driveshaft and the differential.

 

Yes, now I understand.

They are called the front & rear flexible coupling:


Is it a big job or can it be a DIY ?

(PS my 98 GS3 has 95k miles.)

 

They are officially called "flexible couplings" if that helps your search at all.

 

it's a DIY job as long as you can raise both ends of your car.

 

I know this is out of the topic, but where do you get those repair manual .pdf files from? Is there a disc for sale?

 

http://techinfo.toyota.com

 

search guibo

 

I would also check the trans mounts. you can do this by putting the car in reverse with the hood open and one foot pressing very hard on the brake and then press the gas with the other foot. If the motor makes a pretty big "jump" you could need a new mount! GL

 

The cheapest I found was from Elmhurst Toyota, eparts@elmhursttoyota.com (Curt Aigner)

#37511-24010

These are also on a supra, so they can sell them @ $145.01 each (plus shipping)

Shipping to Ireland $40

Total : $330 = €225

My local toyota dealer quoted my €186 each x 2 = €372 = $546

I saved $216 by buying them from the US!, (and you think you are being screwed?)