HELP WITH SQUEAK

I've developed a horrendous squeak in my driveline. 0 - 3 MPH REVERSE... it may as well be a warning signal. It's probably happening over that speed but I can't hear it. Forward... I can haear it... just not as loud... right up to 25 MPH.

I do not think it's rear axle or tire... U Joint maybe... any ideas.

05 TRD PreRunner... 1 owner, 75K toytec AOL (as squeaky as ever... but that squeak I'm familiar with).

 

I don't see anything rubbing... U-Joint maybe? Heard much about them failing? My AAL and Coil Spacers have only been on 3 months tops!

 

Does it seem to take more effort to drive or are you getting worse gas mileage? If one (or both) of the parking brake cables seize that would keep the shoes in contact with the drum and create a squeak that is more noticeable in reverse. Had that happen on my '77 p/u.

 

My mileage JUST dropped 2MPG on the last tank but... My daughter stood in the bed and rocked it while I lay underneath. It is definetly coming from the driveline... but I can't pin point if it's the center U or the rear.

If it were the rear drum brakes being tight... would it cause the driveline to squeak.. or the drums themselves?

 

It is not the brakes. Lifted each bac tire one at a time and manually turned them. They turn pretty easily.

 

Are you sure its not the leaf springs? That's really what it sounds like.

 

It's been awhile since I had to replace one so I spoke with my Dad and googled it. Per Dad and google a squeak could be caused by a bad U-Joint. Also from what I can remember listen for a clunk when you first start off in reverse/going forward or drive and feel for any drive line vibration. You also might be able to tell just by getting under the vehicle and rotating the drive line by hand. Of course the U-joint would probably have to be completely shot to notice anything.

 

First of all, Thank you all for your input.

I know the leaf squeak... and if I reverse slow, on a smooth service... the squeak increases with speed... rotation of the drive shaft I'm sure.

I've heard clunks off and on when engaging the truck (automatic) and originally suspected U-Joint... but it hasn't failed... and all in all... it's a Toyota! However... i really suspect this to be the issue after literally laying under it while a friend (wife wouldn't do it) slowly backed up. I just don't know if it's the center or rear U-Joint.

It's going in for it's oil change tomorrow (free) so I'll have them check it, tell mne which one, and then I'll replace it!

 

Funny, I'm having a very similar problem. Mine squeaks when I'm going slow in reverse or if there's a decrease of torque (letting off gas, no brake application though) in first gear. I checked my U joints last night and the one at the third member end of the driveshaft has a little play in it. I checked it by trying to move the driveshaft up/down and side to side in relation to the cross of the U joint. I had tried rocking the bed (complete with topper) from side to side to see if it was the springs or the topper clamps. I've had leaf spring squeak and this wasn't it.

 

Just a thought but, if 1 u-joint is going bad, don't you think the others are probably on their way out too? Might as well do them all while you have the drive-shaft out. Sort of a preventative maintenance. Just my .02

 

That would make sense. Get them all done at once and save a little money.

 

Agreed. Rockauto.com has some with grease fittings for those of us that don't have them factory.

Anybody have any tips for DIY? I don't have a press but I've seen people use a vise and two sockets to press the cups in/out. Is this an accepted way to do this? Also does the driveshaft have to be rebalanced after replacing them? I guessing so if you put in spiders with zerks where they didn't exist before.

Sorry OP, not trying to thread jack.

 

On my phone so I didn't read all the posts, but sounds like your u-joint. Mine had the same squeak before it busted and chipped my shaft.

 

OK so get this... I take her in to the dealership for 75K maint (free oil change). I mention it to my guy who I "hook up" with phones... and in turn he hooks me up when possible. He says he'll have them figure it out, calls me 2 hours later.

Tells me the the occasional clunck is the drum brakes releasing... normal sound... and they checked the U-joints... they are SOLID. The problem they found is front left tire is rubbing the ball joint... obvious by rub on tire, shiney metal on ball joint. They rotated the tires, aired em up, balanced them, and then re-aligned the truck, Squeak is gone! How that noise was xferred to the center of the rear... I don't know! I wouldn't believe it if my ears didn't know better. WTF??? This one goes to Ripley's Believe it or Not!!!!

I guess I need me some spacers!

 

Good. Glad it was a simple fix.

 

So my squeak is back, and louder than ever. Im told by 3 listeners, it's coming from the passenger rear. Ev en in the cab... I can tell its from the rear.. probably passenger side. Back to the dealership I go!!!

 

Before I go to the dealership... I ask my wife... Babe... do you love me? She says of course! I say... Honey, do you REALLY forgive me for all the shit I've done over our 25+ years together... she says... ummmmmm sure... what the hells going on?!?!?!?

I say listen, I'm gonna lay on the creepy crawler under my truck... I want you to slowly back up. I have my glock on the hip... so don't get crazy!

So she wouldn't do it, no way, no how. Chicken!!!!

I went back to the dealer. I had a tech come out and listen... First thing he said was... that's a dry u joint! I'm like Damn, I was here last week! He said it had no play... and made no noise.. but he is SURE that is what I'm hearing.

Off to find a Lakewood if possible!!!!

 

I had a nasty squeak too...turned out to be all my u-joints and my carrier bearing. Had my drive shaft rebuilt and repaired at Sierra Expeditions for under 400 bucks