Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
For those of you who have been following and/or providing advice to my driveline woes, I just want to give you all an update. For those who have tuned in late, about six weeks ago I reported an odd noise that sounded like a washing machine when at speed. I could correlate the noise to the speed and movement of the truck. Over the past few weeks it got a lot worse to where I had a very loud squeak and grinding noise at low speeds and vibration in the driveline above 63 mph. About a week ago I posted about replacing the u-joints in the rear driveline with Precision Super Strength greaseable u-joints. The center bearing seemed just fine, so I did not replace it. While that did not solve my squeak and grind problems, it did make a noticeable difference in how my truck drives. Through process of elimination, the squeak and grind had to be coming from the front driveline. BTW, I have just a shade under 132K on my truck and this is the first issue I've had with u-joints.
Now for the update. Due to lack of a proper impact socket to get the Torx bolts out of the front flange on the front driveline and time constraints before I head out of town for the holidays, I called a local repair shop and asked them if they would replace the u-joints with parts that I supply. They said they would so I scheduled this past Monday to have the work done. Funny thing is that they asked me what u-joints I had to put on and I told them Precision Super Strength greaseables. They said that was good because that's what they would have put on anyway. So last Thursday we got a bit of snow here, which caused major havoc (doesn't take more than a flake or two of snow to do that in these parts). I was concerned about having to use the 4x. I had to engage it one time just long enough to regain my rear traction leaving the local Home Depot because the county had not cleared the street. The second I touched the accelerator, there was a thump and a very loud grind. Thought the driveline was going to come up through the floor! Anyway, I just got it back today and all is well. The mechanic told me that most of the problem was the ball and socket in the double cardan joint. He showed it to me and it was pretty well toast. He also said that the u-joints on the double cardan were pretty bad, but the one at the front axle was in much better shape. All total, it cost me $244. They got me a little on the ball and socket parts (which I totally forgot about), but I still don't think it was all that bad. It would have been worse if I had not supplied the u-joints. I am just happy that A) I got my truck back, B) it doesn't squaek or grind anymore when I drive it, and C) I don't have worry about whether or not I can use the 4x because I'm probably going to need it this weekend. Oo.
Now for the update. Due to lack of a proper impact socket to get the Torx bolts out of the front flange on the front driveline and time constraints before I head out of town for the holidays, I called a local repair shop and asked them if they would replace the u-joints with parts that I supply. They said they would so I scheduled this past Monday to have the work done. Funny thing is that they asked me what u-joints I had to put on and I told them Precision Super Strength greaseables. They said that was good because that's what they would have put on anyway. So last Thursday we got a bit of snow here, which caused major havoc (doesn't take more than a flake or two of snow to do that in these parts). I was concerned about having to use the 4x. I had to engage it one time just long enough to regain my rear traction leaving the local Home Depot because the county had not cleared the street. The second I touched the accelerator, there was a thump and a very loud grind. Thought the driveline was going to come up through the floor! Anyway, I just got it back today and all is well. The mechanic told me that most of the problem was the ball and socket in the double cardan joint. He showed it to me and it was pretty well toast. He also said that the u-joints on the double cardan were pretty bad, but the one at the front axle was in much better shape. All total, it cost me $244. They got me a little on the ball and socket parts (which I totally forgot about), but I still don't think it was all that bad. It would have been worse if I had not supplied the u-joints. I am just happy that A) I got my truck back, B) it doesn't squaek or grind anymore when I drive it, and C) I don't have worry about whether or not I can use the 4x because I'm probably going to need it this weekend. Oo.
