Rav 4.1 Rear Diff Mount - Clunk

March 4, 2011

Hi,

I have a 96 Rav 4, its only done 65,000 miles. Have had it since last August, the g/f has been driving it over the winter. I got in it last weekend and there is a noticeable clunk when changing gears at some speeds. Not all the time, just some times.

Got underneath and got a mate to put it in reverse and 'lift' it with the handbrake on.

noticed that there is considerable play in a u shaped bush/bearing bolted to the rear of the drive shaft.

What i need to know is what is this part actually called ?

Is its the rear diff mount ?

I tried ringing my local toyota dealer, got put through to a girl in the parts department,( i am not being chauvanist ) but she just didnt understand what i was talking about, even though i was describing the part to her. I didnt like to ask her to 'get a man' so hung up.

Anyway, i could really do with knowing how easy or otherwise / cheap / expensive it will be to get this fixed. Trawling the net i found a couple of old USA forums suggesting filling it with window/silicon sealant ?

Is this suitable for the MOT which is due before the end of March and also is this an MOT related failure point ?

So any advice on where to source a part, solution, what it may be called.

All help appreciated.

Cheers

Mark

March 4, 2011

welcome to the forum!

The rear diff mount is a part-hollow rubber bush which can be stiffened by silicon filler. This didn't affect my MOT.

The diff mount if soft will result in a clunk on accelarating/decelerating

At that mileage then the bushes will be worn as well.

If you want to replace the part contact Parts King on this forum.

March 5, 2011

Loads about this on a previous thread

http://www.toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=115394&st=0&p=1044179&hl=sikaflex&fromsearch=1entry1044179

March 8, 2011

Hi,

Thanks for the advice.

The car did pass the MOT, so at least that's a load off.

Though it was commented on how rusty it was underneath.

I have attached 3 photos of this bearing / bush assembly, just to be sure we are talking about the same thing.

If so, exactly where do I put the sikkaflex. I have used this before in sealing a boat panel, so rather imagined it will go off too hard rather than be flexible.