Rear Differential Squeaking

Hi Everyone. My son has a 2010 Tacoma Sport 4x4 and he is having a strange squeaking sound from the rear end. It is not the leaf springs or suspension, it is coming from the differential. We jacked up the rear end, put in gear and let is go slowly. It chirps or squeaks. I used a Stethoscope and determined it is not the carrier bearing but is something in the differential. No grinding or excessive play, just a chirping. Not out at the wheel side (so not brakes). Anyone have any ideas? It almost sounds like hard rubber against metal - maybe the seal is bad? Thanks in advance!

 

Is there any play in the pinion gear?

 

Nothing outside of normal.

 

Hmmm. My first thought is to disconnect the drive shaft and spin the rear wheels by hand and try to duplicate. That would confirm it’s definitely not anywhere in the drive shaft and carrying down the driveshaft sounding like it’s somewhere else.

 

It’s possible a bearing is failing in the rear end.
That’s really uncommon on these trucks, but I guess it possible.

2010 has an open diff, so it can’t be clutch pack chatter.

 

I would pull the driveshaft and check for a stiff U-Joint.

 

The rear u-joint?

 

Thanks Everyone. Good ideas. I will do some more research this week and see if I can isolate the issue. Glad it does not seem to be a common issue.