Squeaking coming from rear diff?

It appears that I have one of the many squeaking problems that Tacomas have. Here's more:

It's definitely not coming from the engine area. I've replaced the belt and lower idler pulley and most importantly, got another person to listen to it and it's definitely coming from the rear.

I don't think it's the suspension, as it doesn't happen when I get in or out of the truck and is speed dependent. It squeaks slow when I'm going slow occurs faster/more often the quicker I drive.

Then it stops when I hit about 20-25mph.

It also happens whether I'm going absolutely straight or turning left or right.

It really does sound like it's the differential or possibly the rear part of the driveshaft. I'm not sure which it would be; maybe someone who's had this problem before can chime in.

If it is the differential, what could it be? Low gear oil? I've changed the gear oil twice in the past, the most recent back in Aug. 2010, and don't see any signs of leakage.

I don't know anything about the driveshaft. Maybe it just needs some lube? Or is something else shot...?

 

That was a big help.

Anyways, to the OP, try jacking your truck up and spinning wheels by hand, see if you can hear exactly where the noise is coming from.

It could be your wheel bearings, diff, driveshaft, or a few other things.

Also, not sure if the prerunners have the grease nipples on the u-joints under the truck? Could try those as well.

Good luck!

 

U-joints usually squeak right before the go bad.

 

Check your U-joints.

 

I had been noticing the same thing with my 07. Climbed under it and found the rear u joint is toast. I greased them regularly,but i guess everything wears out, actually was relieved that was all it was. I was definitely thinking it was the rear diff. I would check them first, they will make for a bad day if they come apart on you.

 

How many miles on it?

 

I vote for the u-joints

 

Right at 90,000 miles. I am going to try and upload a photo i took Friday at the shop i work at . It was an f-250 with the transfer case held together by the chain inside and the rear driveshaft that had the bolt on yoke. The front u-joint was locked up, DESTROYED the transfercase. Probably one of the craziest things i have ever saw towed in. I work at a transmission shop down here in SE LA. U-joints can cause a lot of carnage--or at the least leave you stranded for awhile.

 

Sounds about right.

 

6 years and I have zero squeaks.. I didn't know they were riddled with problems?

 

The U-joints are greasable. If you don't grease them, metal-on-metal will squeak. I wouldn't exactly call that a defect.

 

Only the 4x4s have grease able u-joints.

 

Ah I thought the pre-runners having a lot of the off-road oriented stuff might have them as well but looks like no.

Doesn't rule out the u-joints, but ya, I still say jack up the rear of the truck and try to diagnose it by ear.

 

No it's not a defect, I kept mine greased though, and they wore out around 90k miles. Nothing lasts forever, especially if you go through a lot of mud, water.... and have it lifted.

 

Yeah, my truck has 89,000 miles, close enough to 90k.

After reading through some more threads, and this one: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/41248-rear-end-squeak.html you guys are probably right about the U-joints. Unfortunately, Prerunner U-joints are not greaseable, which initially confused me when I crawled under the truck, so new ones have been ordered.

Hopefully this will solve the problem, pretty embarrassing having a good looking truck squeal like it's a dump truck.

 

I dunno, but there are quite a bit of of threads on squeaking. Trust me, I tried the SEARCH function before putting up a new thread.