Long starting, chirping, and squeaking.

Problem1:

Sometimes when my truck hasn't been started for more than like 8 hours it can crank for 5 or so seconds--way too long. I know there is a TSB on CustomTacos that I plan on having my mechanic do (I don't have the tools ) but could there be something else that would cause the hard cranking?

2:

When the clutch is fully out, there is a chirping sound...kind of similar to crickets. Anybody have any idea as to why the clutch is making that type of sound?

3: My brakes squeak pretty bad once they're warmed up. They dont squeak at all times that the brakes are applied, so I'm guessing that the pads are still there and there isn't any metal on metal contact. I know that theres some kinda fluid that is between the pad and the caliper...could it just be that there isn't enough of said fluid and the vibrations from the pads on the rotors are causing the squeak?



oh, and another thing i just remembered...
When at highway speeds in 5th, the shifter shakes around a lot. It only happens whenever I'm accelerating and only in 5th. The transmission feels tight, so I doubt that the shaking will make it so it jumps out of 5th...but it's the first vehicle that I've seen the shifter shake around so much.

Thanks for any help

 

Just some first thoughts....

How old is your battery? Connections clean?

A chirping while the clutch is out, usually means a throw-out bearing.

First off - check your brake pads and make sure they're OK.
The fluid that you are describing is not necessarily a fluid.....it can be a sticky *anti squeel* substance or shims (per say). On my 96 - there were thin metallic sheets that sat inbetween the pad & piston. This was the anti-squeel device. When I changed pads - the new pads didn't have them. I re-used the old ones plus I sprayed anti-squeel material (sticky tacky stuff) on them. These anti-squee devices help keep the pad up againest the rotor enough to prevent them from squeeling without being too tight to cause drag.

You could always take your pads off, clean them up (clean old debris off) and add anti-squeel material without causing any harm to help you troubleshoot. You can buy anti-squeel in spray cans at the auto stores.

 

Not sure how old it is as I got the truck about 3 months ago. The window shows a green dot, so I'm assuming that it's fine. Connections are clean.

It seems like it's the opposite symptoms of a bad throw out bearing. The noise is when there is no pressure on it, and if I put only a little bit of pressure on the pedal it goes away.

I'll have my mechanic check to make sure the pads are still good, and if they are I'll tell him to put some anti-squeal stuff on them.

Sometimes the brakes seem really soft too. Would that be a sign of bad pads? I'll have them check the lines to make sure theres still pressure in them, but other than that I don't know what could be the reason why they're soft sometimes and fine other times?