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Strange squeal, maybe rear wheel bearings?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by lindsey, Jun 19, 2011.

  1. Jun 19, 2011 at 9:48 AM
    #1
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    In the last two weeks our truck has taken to making a strange squeal/chirp when you release the gas pedal while still in gear. Say we are in second at 3k rpm and I release the gas and coast down to 2k without putting in the clutch; the truck makes a loud squeaky noise. It stops as soon as we put in the clutch pedal, it won't do it in neutral, and it stops before the vehicle stops, maybe at 5mph. A friend of ours took a look at it last night and proposed it to be one of the rear wheel bearings. What do you guys think? Also a couple more questions: I am planning on using the truck for firewood today, is this a bad idea? How quickly do we need to deal with it, next week, or should we tow it in tomorrow (I don't know how serious it is to drive with it like it is)? And, if we determine it to be the wheel bearings, do y'all have any recommendations for that job, any tricks or something else to do while we are in there. Thanks a lot. Fortunately our Tacoma is remarkably reliable, so we don't have to use this forum too often, but I really appreciate the wealth of info you guys have to offer and will definitely appreciate any pieces of information you have to offer.

    thanks as always
     
  2. Jun 19, 2011 at 9:51 AM
    #2
    brutalguyracing

    brutalguyracing BIG DADDY

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    if this is the case i would say its not your wheel bearings......
     
  3. Jun 19, 2011 at 10:01 AM
    #3
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Any clutch slippage with this squeal ??

    I've had throw out bearings do this before....
     
  4. Jun 19, 2011 at 10:02 AM
    #4
    ktmrider

    ktmrider Senior Member

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    carrier bearing possibly
     
  5. Jun 19, 2011 at 10:07 AM
    #5
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    no clutch slippage yet. I think the guy who drove it last night was thinking it was the throwout bearing, but he apparently ruled that out, but I don't know how. is there a way to try to narrow it down? thanks for the suggestions.
     
  6. Jun 19, 2011 at 10:33 AM
    #6
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    I read on here a similar post where the solution was just lubing the driveshaft. any chance this could be the simple fix?
     
  7. Jun 19, 2011 at 10:51 AM
    #7
    MowTaco

    MowTaco Well-Known Member

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    It couldn't hurt...
     
  8. Jun 19, 2011 at 12:05 PM
    #8
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Ok, was maybe a U joint but that'd probably squeek either way with just driveshaft turning, what does it sound like in neutral, clutch out, engine running ? (unusually loud ? ) & how far do you let the pedal out before it engages ?? :notsure:


    But as mentioned Lube the driveline first, seems some of the damnedest noises go away with a little grease, always a good idea...;)
     
  9. Jun 19, 2011 at 5:44 PM
    #9
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    So, I think I got the truck to do the noise under different circumstances. I was in 4 low backing up, basically just idling and the truck was making a slow creaking noise, could have been something else entirely, but I think it was the same noise but slower. As far as the clutch issue, the clutch engages relatively high, it still has some play at the top, but not a ton, I would have to go check to be absolutely sure. As far as in neutral with the clutch out, idling, I would say it doesn't sound louder than normal, can loud idling be a signal of clutch wear? thanks again
     
  10. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:29 PM
    #10
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    Okay, so I greased up the driveshaft. didn't change the problem, but I'm glad I got it done. While I was under the truck, my friend who is a pretty knowledgeable, mechanic crawled under and said that by his judgment, the U-joints all look good but that the carrier bearing has too much play, and is shot. So, be sure I jacked up the rear and put the truck in gear. First I should mention that the wheels spun fine on both sides while in neutral, so i ruled out the wheel bearings. Idling in first the noise was absent, but putting it in reverse and applying the E-brake, I was able to summon it. I crawled under the truck and could definitely hear the noise. I put my head near the carrier bearing and could definitely hear it, but it seemed to be further back. I moved my head back toward the u-joint that is next in line going toward the back and from there it seemed further forward, basically the noise is loudest with my ear right next to the driveshaft between the carrier bearing and the rearmost u-joint. any ideas? I suppose I could disconnect the drive shaft and see where it is that way, I guess I should replace the carrier bearing anyway, but I would like to take care of the problem once and for all. thanks
     
  11. Jun 20, 2011 at 4:51 PM
    #11
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Do you have the double Cardan(un serviceable) drive shaft ? It looks like 2 U joints knuckled very close together, early 1st gens had them I've been told & they weren't servicable (greasable,no zerks)when they went bad it was driveshaft time, my 2000 has the greasable dbl Cardan Toyota started using these in 2000 for this reason, I've replaced a few Carriers on other vehicles (my truck included) They can make some truly wierd noises from intermittent sqweaks to howling when driving, the Toyota center bearing OEM is right at $200.00, as far as play goes because of the way the actual bearing is mounted (inside a sealed rubber grommet) there is a fair amount of play (up & down, side to side) Which from all the info I got is an acceptable amount for this type of bearing, just remember when checking U joints that no amount of play is acceptable...:cool:
     
  12. Jun 20, 2011 at 5:21 PM
    #12
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    Not sure what kind of joint that is, serviceable or not. I know that the joint is right behind the carrier bearing and does have three zerk fittings. So the first U-joint has one, the middle joint has three and the last joint has two fittings for a total of 6. Does that indicate whether it is the serviceable or non-serviceable type? The U-joints have no play, the center bearing moves up and down about 1/4 of an inch.
     
  13. Jun 20, 2011 at 5:53 PM
    #13
    lindsey

    lindsey [OP] Member

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    This is a picture of the double cardan joint behind the carrier bearing. The picture also highlights the extra grease that flung off the driveshaft and landed on the exhaust. I don't really know how to determine which of the two or three things that are possible suspects are in fact the culprit. Any thoughts?

    photo.jpg
     
  14. Jun 20, 2011 at 7:01 PM
    #14
    skytower

    skytower Well-Known Member

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    On a 97 with the original drive shaft components? If so, it's probably time to rebuild the joints and replace the carrier.
    Creaking is what ujoints usually sound like when they start to fail.
     
  15. Jun 20, 2011 at 7:17 PM
    #15
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    This is my serviceable Cardan w/zerks circled in blue & 1/4" play is acceptable for Carrier as nutty as that sounds , even at that it doesn't mean its good either, a real gray area on these

    Webdblcardangreasezirks2_07bca3967afbe1f0cc12024590d6e4e3bfb74d31.jpg



    Sometimes they creak, alot of times in my experience it sounds almost like a piece of wire wrapped around the driveshaft....
     

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