Hello, about a week ago while slowing down at a stop sign I heard a squeak coming from my rear end. When I got home I checked underneath my truck for a possible cause of the squeak but came up with nothing. I sprayed white grease on the u-joints and the plastic cover between the differential and u-joint. Went for a test drive and the noise was still there. I had my rear u-joint replaced when the truck was 2 years old under warranty. Could it be time to replace it again? I now notice the squeak when i'm slowing down and accelerating at any speed. Today I went to the parts store and ordered a new rear u-joint with a grease fitting just in case. The truck is a 4.6 regular cab 2wd. Any help would be greatly appreciated since this squeaking is driving me up the wall.

 

is it all the time or maybe ur leaf springs my brothers '99 during winter salts eat the paint between them and they squeak bad he just slides a bike inner tube between them and it takes care of it...I dont know if this is your case just a suggestion.

 

I had an 88 F150 that had the same symptoms and it was the u-joint.I replaced front and rear u-joints.That was at about 80000 miles and drove the truck to 160000 miles before selling to a friend who is still driving it with nearly 200000 miles on it and no problems.They were greasable joints and they have outlasted the originals.Long story short is that I'm sure it's your u-joints.Bob.

 

It happens when im slowing down like maybe 10mph - 0mph, and when im accelerating from rest or even when im cruising and get on the gas I hear it squeak. When slowing down, it sounds different then when im accelerating. I can definantly tell that it has something to do with the wheels turning because it seems to be insync with the rotation of the wheels when slowing down or acceleratin. I just went and checked the leaf springs but all seems to be good there, but thanks for the suggestion.

 

If the squeak speeds up when you do and slows down when you do it should be the u-joint.The symptoms your describing were identical to mine which is telltale u-joint issues.Should sound kindof like a hamster in a wheel going around.

 

Ok sounds good, I ordered a new rear u-joint with grease fitting this afternoon and will pick it up tomorrow morning and install it in the afternoon. Will let you guys know if it worked out. Thanks for the help.

Rob

 

Just wanted to know if you have checked the fluid in the rearend?I would check that first to be on the safe side.

 

No I haven't checked that yet but i'm planning on flushing it out along with the cooling system soon. I'll make sure to check that out, thanks.

 

Well I picked up the u-joint this morning and got to work. Put the rear end on jackstands and tried to remove the bolts that attach the driveshaft to the differential pinion flange. I spend a couple hours trying to loosen those stupid bolts to no luck. I drenched those bolts with WD-40. I tried a breaker bar and then the breaker bar with a pipe on the end for more leverage but still no go. Whipped out the air rachet and impact wrench and still no go. I then considered leaving the driveshaft in the truck and tried to remove the u-joint but not enough room to work in there. So, I called up a local auto shop and they want $75 to chage it out. I might just go this route since I don't have the necessary tools to get this job done.

 

Hi, well I decided against having the auto shop take care of replacing the u-joint and I went back at it. I guess after letting the WD-40 soak in for a few days, it had penetrated enough to the point where I could break loose all four bolts on the driveshaft. I then removed the driveshaft and layed it out on the floor. I played around with the yolk on the front of the driveshaft and it moved freely. So I went to the rear u-joint which I had suspected was the problem and it was. That thing was solid frozen! I had to use a pair of plumbers pliers just to move the thing. Sure enough, it made that annoying squeak when I moved it. Now I just have to get the old u-joint out with an arbor press and put the new one in, and i'm ready to go! Thanks for the help guys.

Rob

 

Awesome!I'm glad that worked out.I didn't want to look like an idiot by giving the wrong advice but I was sure that was the problem.If you have a vice you can pound the joint out with a good ball peen hammer and a socket or you can use the vice as a press.Works well if you don't have easy access to a press.
Bob