How to Inspect the Drivetrain in a Toyota Tundra

The 5-year/60,000 mile drivetrain warranty covered the 2007 Toyota Tundras with the recall on the four-wheel drive truck that involved the slip shafts on the driveshaft, which can break on models affected by this defect. Contact your dealer if you own a 2007 model to have it inspected and perform regular drivetrain inspections on your Tundra every year to stay safe.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you'll need:

• Creeper
• Old rags

1. • 1

     Look at the components of the truck's drivetrain. Slide under the Toyota Tundra on a creeper and look for any signs of breakage or wear on the front and rear axles that connect the driveshaft to the wheels. Be sure to also check the CV-joints, halfshafts and transfer case (equipped on four-wheel or all-wheel drive models only).

   • 2

     Search for seepage of fluids from the joints or seals. At the outer end of the driveshaft, check the support brackets for the drivetrain to make sure they're tight.

   • 3

     Drive your Toyota Tundra around and listen for any odd noise, which include a clicking or clunking when you're cruising at a low speed, a clicking noise when you turn or clunks when you round a corner. Any of these noises could indicate trouble with the drivetrain.

   • 4

     Park the truck, raise the hood and check the oil and transmission fluid levels. Both have metal dipsticks that you pull out. You'll find the dipsticks on the Toyota Tundra on the driver's side of the engine block.

   • 5

     Wipe each of dipsticks with an old rag and reinsert them into their respective holes. Then, pull them back out to gauge the levels of fluid in the containers as well as the color. Oil should be nearly clear and transmission fluid should be a light reddish color. Add more fluid if it's low, and change the fluid if the color is dark.

   • 6

     Check all the hoses and clamps attached to the air and oil filters and from the engine, because the warranty doesn't cover them and it could create bigger problems if they're allowed to break.

Tips & Warnings

• See your dealer or call Toyota at (800) 331-4331, if you have any questions about your Tundra or a potential recall.

• The yoke can break on the driveshft, if not repaired, and could hit the pavement while you're driving, causing loss of control or a piece of the metal could hit the fuel tank.