2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission How soon til' melt down?

[Walker]

I've been researching all night about my trucks "symptoms", and figured I'd try here. This may be a borderline 911 call, but I'm not sure how severe of a problem, or how soon until Ol' Gus leaves me stranded on the side of the road. So here goes:



Symptoms:

1. Had a real bad squeak coming from under the truck when coasting to a stop with transmission in gear or neutral. The squeak (high pitched squeel) was rpm related and slowed with speed.



2. Squeek went away after a couple of weeks (I couldn't find anything).



3. Then recently started hearing a "clunk/thunk" while disengaging the clutch, coming from under the truck in the driveline (transmission, clutch area). This is shifting from any gear at any speed, but does not occur at every shift.



4. Now, coming down a slight grade today, in 5th, I could let off the throttle then just as I reapplied pedal pressure, I would get the "clunk/thunk" again (not shifting).



I've done the research and can't narrow it down between the clutch, transmission, driveshaft (u joints), or other. I'm guessing a bearing (maybe pilot bearing) or something to that effect.



Is this something that can bust and leave me stranded? Where should I look first, and how do I test for it? I don't want to keep driving it and causing more damage in other components. I'd like to get it fixed asap.



Thanks for the help.

 

[abledog]

The first three symptoms sound like the throw out bearing has seen better days!

Number 4 definitely sounds like u-joints.



Crawl under your truck and give the drive shaft the shake test. Grab the drive shaft and shake the hell out of it. If the u joints are shot you will know it!



Terry

 

[rchall]

real bad squeak coming from under the truck = "throw out bear"

The first symptoms is a bad throw out bearing! It will get worse as it go out altogether!! The "clunk/thunk" maybe the shifter fork hitting the pressure plat fins. .



You better get it fixed soon or you will do a lot on damage. . :{

 

[FJfonda]

My guess would be a U-Joint. My van had the same signature multiple times... . each time it was the driveshaft U-joint. Does it stop altogether when your motion stops? If it was a bad throwout brg then it would do it at a stop and coasting. U-joint would be only while moving. If the needles are completely vaporized inside the joint then it will clunk as you come on and off the power.