Weird Tacoma 4WD Problem Nobody Can Figure Out. Can You?

Eric Patterson

Eric Patterson

Moderator
Staff member
Maybe someone here can solve or give me some ideas on how to troubleshoot my 2008 4WD Tacoma. It has been acting strange for around a year.

Here are the symptoms. After the truck sits for several hours, especially overnight, when I first start it up and put it in drive it does not want to ease forward. Feels like the brakes are on. As I gently press the gas sometimes there is a POP and then it rolls normally. I've had the truck on the grass and the "lock up" is strong enough the rear tire spins until the "pop" and then it is back to normal. Sure feels like it is a front wheel, possibly the drivers side, causing the resistance. The pop doesn't always occur but the feel of resistance to move forward is fairly consistent. I took it to the dealer last spring and they didn't have a clue and couldn't get it to pop. It seems to be getting worse so hopefully the next time I take it they can reproduce the symptoms. Of course they will have to let it sit for quite some time to repeat.

Any ideas as to the cause or tests to narrow it down?
 
Last edited:
I had something similar on an older truck. It had something to do with one of the brakes being out of position and making contact when there were weather changes and some other BS I don't remember.

Good luck.
 
Calipers on front brakes? Had a chevy that did the spinning of the rear tires on grass, replaced the calipers and fixed the problem.
 
Next It does it, before you break free jack up each wheel to find the binding one?
 
Last edited:
Sure sounds like a brake caliper pad sticking to the rotor. Toyota has some intersting issues with brakes on their first series of Sequoias, Tundras, and Lexus 4WD models. The first year of the V8 Tundra's intro. there was a brake caliper issue with the 4WD models.

The overnight part of the equation would throw in enough moisture from your high dew points down there to coat the face of the rotor with moisture to form a thin layer of corrosion. How many miles do you get on a set of brakes? Did you have the rotors turned or replaced last time around("fishing" to see if you might have hard spots or a warped rotor)?
 
I had the same issue when I left the truck too long. I think I got it serviced and it went away.
I know, not too helpful.
 
could it be a relief/ breather valve in the transmission is plugged up
I have some transmission here at the shop that have a breather in the top of it, could the breather be plugged
and cause the transmission to hydro lock , then after it forces the fluid thru the trans, developing high pressure,it snaps out of it and runs OK ? as it sits and cools down the fluid locks up again?
 
I had the dealer inspect the brakes and they said there were no issues. Maybe the brakes need a second look. I do park the vehicle in the garage so I'm not sure moisture figures in. It also happens after it sits parked all day long at work. Cold temperatures seem to make it worse too. Last season when the roads iced over I stopped at a red light and it locked up. I crab walked to a gas station until I hit dry pavement and it popped and drove normal. I wish I could have seen what was going on from the outside because then I'd know which wheel locked up was but am pretty sure it is a front wheel, most likely the driver side.
 
Maybe someone here can solve or give me some ideas on how to troubleshoot my 2008 4WD Tacoma. It has been acting strange for around a year.

Here are the symptoms. After the truck sits for several hours, especially overnight, when I first start it up and put it in drive it does not want to ease forward. Feels like the brakes are on. As I gently press the gas sometimes there is a POP and then it rolls normally. I've had the truck on the grass and the "lock up" is strong enough the rear tire spins until the "pop" and then it is back to normal. Sure feels like it is a front wheel, possibly the drivers side, causing the resistance. The pop doesn't always occur but the feel of resistance to move forward is fairly consistent. I took it to the dealer last spring and they didn't have a clue and couldn't get it to pop. It seems to be getting worse so hopefully the next time I take it they can reproduce the symptoms. Of course they will have to let it sit for quite some time to repeat.

Any ideas as to the cause or tests to narrow it down?
Click to expand...
Trade it in for the new redesigned 2016 Tacoma, problem solved.
 
Does it happen when the truck is in 2WD, 4WD, or both? I also have a 2008 4WD Tacoma and sometimes when I'm sitting still and switch from 4WD to 2WD I'll run into the same issue for the first couple feet of driving. It feels like driving with the break on and then I can hear an audible "clunk" and then it's fine. Maybe something's going on with the 4WD system?
 
I'll pile on with a "brakes" diagnosis. Had one stuck on a Honda Ridgeline a few months ago (this spring), it did just what you describe. Hit the gas a little and it would release.
 
Eric,
Go on this forum and ask the question. These guys have a ton of knowledge.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/

Good luck.

Zane
 
I'll give it a try Eric. I would check my calipers for a sticking piston. Disc brakes develop a clearance between the pad and rotor because the runout of the rotor forces the piston(s) back into their bore, eliminating drag. No springs like drum brakes.
I suspect that either the piston is sticking and staying stuck over night. When you move it in the A.M. the "pop" is the rotor forcing the piston back into the bore.
Another thing I have seen is the pads themselves getting stuck on their mounting hardware. The result is the same, the pop before the rotor forces the pad off the rotor.

Hope this helps narrow it down.
 
Where is Travis Bruce when you need him? Kind of miss the old guy. Probably "taking a poop"!

Mark W
 
The problem seems to have been fixed. Yesterday I took it to the dealer for a factory safety recall and asked them to take look at the rear driver side wheel which I figured out was the problem child. The dealer figured out the issue. About a year ago I had an axle seal replaced. The mechanic did a poor job of cleaning the oil off the rear brakes and a brake shoe had delaminated in addition to reinstalling some parts improperly. They cleaned it, replaced the shoe, and reassembled correctly and I've had no further issues. Kind of a relief. I was thinking they might have to tear the axle apart for a bad bearing or ring and pinion gear.
 
The mechanic did a poor job of cleaning the oil off the rear brakes and a brake shoe had delaminated in addition to reinstalling some parts improperly.
Click to expand...

Eric,
I fully realize that mistakes do happen but,,,,,,,,,,,,, This seems to be the norm nowdays. Too many folks in too big a hurry, either taking shorts cuts they shouldn't or making mistakes that should not happen. Glad your current mechanic got to the root cause and it was corrected.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top