We have a new 07 v6 4x4, if you brake medium or hard to stop, when you let off the brake you hear a clunking noise. It is like the tranny is finding a gear or worse. I don't notice this when you brake normal. Any ideas? Is this normal? Any one else have this problem?

 

Warranty?

I cant even guess, could be alot of things. It could be dangerous too, I would say get it checked out. Alot of places will check it for FREE!

 

I don't know specifically about 4Runner brake systems, but I had a similar problem on myfirst-gen Miata. Turns out there are some clips that hold the brake pads firmly in place. These clips are not critical to the operation of the brake system, so sometimes mechanics get lazy and leave the clips out. Or the clipsget worn out over time. However, the free movement of the pads within the calipers causes a clunking noise. The brakes worked fine, even took it in to a brake place to have the noise checked out but they couldn't figure out what was wrong. Luckily, Miata's have a strong support forum and an intense search netted the problem.

Given you have a new truck, I seriously doubt the above is your problem but you never know. Maybe your truck was assembled on a Thursday and some line worker forgot to install something little like that.

Noises during hard braking might also mean some bushing was overtightened/undertightened and not doing a proper job. Or, maybe a shock mounting bolt is loose. Just sit back and think of all the things that become compressed under hard braking and release that pressure when you back off the pedal. Basically everything from the lug nuts up to the frame.

Regardless, its a newtruck under warranty, so you needto take it back to a dealer post haste. Like jtm says, you do not want to take chanceswith brakes!

 

I'm glad this has been posted, I have a similar problem in my 97 Ltd. I'm embarrased to mention but I've had this issue for the near 6 years and 110k additional miles of ownership. It hasn't gotten any worse, so I'm not sure what the problem is either. Under hard braking, there isn't the muted thunk until getting off the brake and accelerating from a stoplight. Under normal braking, it's not until the last 3-5 feet of stopping that it will thunk as if the tranny is late downshifting or if the rear brakes are binding. The front pads were changed last year and the rears were okay, so I just cleaned them and lubed the critical areas, but the same thing. The transmission operates just fine and had it's service. If there's any other helpful hints out there, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

Is it a Limited?
Or does it have the full time AWD is the question.
Because in my 06 V8 4WD it used to clunk when you pulled up to a stop, but usually not until you let off the brake a bit. I think it's the full time 4WD mechanism doing something. Although, now at 20,000 miles, it doesn't seem to do it anymore.