NEED HELP 2006 4.0 driveline or transmission tick

hi guys, in the past few days i have noticed a very loud and peculiar sound coming from what seems to be the transmission area. the sound IS NOT the engine tick. it happens at acceleration and at constant speed, but not at idle. the sound i would describe as pebbles rolling on a metal roof mixed with a wire in bike spokes. the trucks a 2006 trd sport automatic with about 125k on it. let me know of anything if could be. Thanks!

 

Check your universal joint(s). Suspect one or all are worn out. If one is bad replace them all.

 

@Jimmyh looked today and saw this. thanks for the help! if that doesn't solve the noise the tranny could be to blame. all three u joints picture have cracks in the rubber seals. greased them up for now to buy a little time while ordering u joints. what brands the best!?

 

When you greased the joints did the noise go away?

You really need to grease them every oil change.

Your middle picture the grease looks really old and dirty. You need to keep pumping new grease in until new grease come out.

I highly doubt that you have a transmission issue.

 

the noise didn't go away, but did seem quieter. the carrier bearings rubber outside seemed like it was separated from the steel bracket. so i may look into that. as for the grease i just stopped to take the pictures then kept on greasin'. to be honest i didn't know that the were able to be greased until i looked, my mistake. I'm pretty sure its not the transmission too. I'm hoping the new u joints will do the job. any suggestions on brands? Moog? Spicer? @Jimmyh

 

Most prefer Spicer, just make sure you get the ones with a zerk fitting and grease them at oil change time. They will last a long time that way.

 

thanks for all the help! @Jimmyh

 

You bet!

 

@Jimmyh did the u joint this weekend and it was definitely the problem. pulled the middle u joint out and one cup was completely deteriorated and rusted out. truck is smooth as can be and nice and quiet. Thanks again for your help!

 

Thank you for taking the time to post pictures of universal joints that look fine from a distance and accepted grease just fine .
It wasnt until you removed the universal joint did you find the problem .

 

@gearcruncher yeah all four looked fine but one of the four pretty much had no needle bearings left.they were smashed and rusted and clogged up the grease port, not letting in grease. which then made it sound like a bird lived under my floor pan.