help...my truck started squeaking

[APersondek]

I am taking my truck into the dealer this Thursday for a squeak that has started with the warm weather recently. It happens at low speed from 5 ~ 20 mph with or without brakes applied. It only happens when turning left or right not going straight.



I have not been able to figure out if it is a U-Joint or something with the differential or the axel itself. The steering pump and steering gear were replaced about 2 mo and 2,000 miles ago. Just hit 70k on the odometer.



At times it sounds like it is coming from the back of the truck other times it sounds like it is coming from front of truck. Feel free to reply if your truck has squeaked or is squeaking and let me know what to look for, or what you did to fix it.



Thanks in advance

 

[AKaiser]

I think I'm in the same situation as you. I checked the u-joints forward of the t-case, and none seemed overly hot after a long drive, nor did they seem loose. I even checked the double-cardan in the front driveshaft. It's getting worse. It's been "squeaking" for a month, maybe.

 

[SuperSteeler]

Wow, that is weird. Mine started doing exactly the same thing a few weeks ago. Took it to the dealer and they replaced the driver's side u-joint on the front axle. This morning it was doing it again. I know the u-joint was bad, it had a lot of signs of wear. But now I'm wondering if the bearing could be going. The other one on the front axle has already been replaced.

 

[bighammer]

That's odd, I noticed a new (to me) squeek/creak sound as I backed out of the garage today.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Squirt a little WD40 on the pinion seals and see what happens. Shouldn't be the case since it doesn't do it going straight, but give it a try.

 

[SuperSteeler]

I'm dumb, where's the pinion seal?

 

[Cattletrkr]

Where the driveshafts go into the differentials. They keep the oil from leaking out of the "pumpkin" on the shaft side.

 

[HOBrian]

The squeak is coming from the front axle u-joint. I just had my ball joints done and the mechanic said that only one out of the four stubs had needle bearings in them all the rest were gone and my truck squeaked only while turning.

 

[APersondek]

I dropped my truck off at the dealer this morning. I have the max care warranty so hopefully it will be covered. I will let you know what i hear back from them

 

[APersondek]

I just heard back from dealer and i think they are throwing parts at the issue but they are replacing the following parts:



ball joints on each side of the front axle

both front hub assemblies

new front U-Joints on each side of the front axle

and two new brake rotor shields as well



Totaling for $1200 in parts and probably 800~ 900 in labor all of which will be covered by my max care warranty

Hopefully this will cause the squeak to go away

 

[HOBrian]

That should do it. Tell them you what to see all the parts that took off, just for giggles see which is bad.

 

[Red_Rattler]

Mine just started to do it as well! Its comin from the passenger side u joint or bearing like said. I drenched the bearing and u joint in PB Blaster and it quieted right down, but I still know thats not the right fix for it...

 

[APersondek]

Well I picked my truck up from the dealer late this afternoon and the squeak is gone. I looked at the old parts and seen that one of the front u-joints was rusted badly. the other one did not look that bad. i also looked at the hubs and the brake rotor shields - the hubs (of course) were rusted solid onto the axel shafts - the dealer did not have a puller so they used a 5lb sledge hammer to remove the old ones. they told me they used anti-seize on the new ones.



as they say I will keep on truckin - even if all I do is daily driving and very little towing...

 

[HOBrian]

It's always nice when guy's update the situation on their trucks. Glad to hear the squeak is gone!Oo.

 

[bighammer]

The squeak is coming from the front axle u-joint. I just had my ball joints done and the mechanic said that only one out of the four stubs had needle bearings in them all the rest were gone and my truck squeaked only while turning.

Now did he replace the ball joints, note the sad shape of the axle joint and just put it back together without replacing it?


My squeek was getting worse so I got under and sprayed some oil on the rear u joints. That seemed to reduce or cure it for a couple days. Then driving home and coasting to my mailbox, it felt like I was driving in a bulldozer track-- Sort of a constant, low frequency vibration.

I removed the driveshaft and it seemed plenty flexible like everything was OK. The center joint was only bending one direction, though. I could support the driveshaft at both ends and the joint was seized enough to keep the center from sagging. I replaced all 3 joints with greaseable ones.