U-Joints/Rear Axle Noises

About six months ago I picked up a second truck, got myself a nice little commuter with about 180k on the clock. Its a 2004 PreRunner with the 2.7 auto. Ive gotta say, its probably one of my favorite trucks ever. Its just perfect.
Anyway, I noticed it started making come clicking noises after a weekend out in the country. Mainly under acceleration. It really sounded like the rear end was going out. Started with clicking, then graduated with occasional rattling (almost like a blown catalytic converter) it even screeched every now and then. I really felt as if this truck was going to leave me in the middle of the road at some point soon.
I didn't waste anytime, I went through whole bottom. Checked and greased the u-joints, replaced the rear axle fluid. Checked brakes. Everything and anything that could possibly be making noise I checked. I jacked the rear end up and spun the wheels, and there was the clicking noise. But how? There was no metal in the fluid- I had already replaced. I even stuck an inspection camera through the filler hole and they looked great. Decided to take it to a professional for further diagnosis. He confirmed my suspicion. He said I must of cracked a tooth somewhere. He then gave me two quotes, one with him pulling the carrier out and replacing the gears and one with me pulling the carrier out and bringing it to him. I didn't want to do it, but if it was going to save me almost 1k in labor I had to (so glad I did now).
So I drop this thing, take it to him and he goes through and thoroughly inspects the gears... Nothing wrong with them. In absolute perfect shape . So we both miss diagnosed the noise. I remember I even road in the back of the truck and listened to this noise. I wish I would of recorded the noises that poor truck was making. It really had me fooled.
Long story short, he told me to take my driveline to a driveline shop and have them inspect it. Turned out, it was the u-joints. The CB knuckle u-joint in the middle (Not sure of the official name)
Moral of the story, before you drop the rear axle carrier or pay big bucks for someone to have your driveline/u-joints inspected and save yourself some work

-Joe

 

The cardon joint has 3 zerks. 1 of which is easy to overlook causing premature failure due to no lube.

 

Agreed, thats pretty much what I did. But live and learn I guess. Hopefully this experience saves somebody some time one day