Fellas I need some help!

The driveshaft on my truck is starting to sqeek really bad. My guess is the U-Joints. What do y'all think?

Another question: I'm a do it yourself kinda guy. I've never changed out U-Joints before. Can someone give me some instructions/pointers?

Thanks!

jta75
it sounds like ujoints to me also,but with that said,if you have never done them before i would recommend you find a buddy are someone that has done them before to either do them for you or help you to do them,the caps of the ujoints have real small needle bearings in them and they can be very tricky to get them done and not ruin the ujoint especially if you have not done them before plus to get them out for a rookie is going to be rather hard to explain the proper procedure on the internet,if you pull your drive shaft and take it and the ujoints somewhere to have them replaced you would probably be ahead of the game.

Do you have a 2pc driveshaft? If you do , check the center support bearing too. That could be your problem. As far as replacing the u joints, its pretty easy to do. You need a bench vise and a large c clamp. When the driveshaft is off, grip it in the vise tightly as close to the yokes as you can(usually around the welds), DO NOT squeeze the tube in the vise. Use a junk socket or large punch and hammer the u joint cap down(remove any retaining rings). The lower cap will pop out and the joint can be removed, then tap out the remaining cap. To install the new joint, carefully remove the capos from the joint and positon the joint inside the yoke. Take the new caps(check the bearings to be sure they are all in place) and push them in place through the yoke as far as you can by hand. Take the c clamp and position it over the caps and slowly start to tighten it. As the caps get closer to the joint, slide the joint into one of the caps and keep tightening the clamp while guiding the joint into the other cap. When both caps are flush with the yoke remove the clamp and make sure that the joint moves FREELY. After you have detern=mined that there is no binding, use a socket the same diameter as the caps and knock them in until the retaining rings will lock properly in place. Once that is done, repeat it for all the other joints. Hope that helps you out.

Thanks for the help guys!

I do have a 2 piece driveshaft. Would the center bearings you're talking about be the carrier bearings? My Grandpa thinks it's the carrier bearings, but he said it's hard to tell since he lives out of state and can't hear the sqeek first hand.

I guess I'll start with the front U-Joints and move on from there?!?!

That would be the carrier bearing and there should be a grease sert on it you might try greasing it first,but most likely have a ujoint that has gone dry,you can grab a hold of the drive shaft and turn it back and forth and see if the ujoints have any play in them.

It is necessary to take the caps off of the ujoint to install it so be sure to put some extra grease to hold the needles in place. If the needles get out of place then it definitely makes it more difficult to change them.

Ah, thanks Stan.

I did turn the shaft back and forth trying to locate the source of the sqeek, but I didn't pay attention to if it had play or not. I'll try that.

Another thing that may or may not be of help. It only sqeeks at low speeds or in reverse. Driving around parking lots has become VERY embarrassing!

most likely the very back ujoint is dry and causing the noise.

like Stan says--start at the back-
more likely than the front--

Ditto on the rear but since you need to pull the shaft out anyway I would replace front/rear & carrier bearing and be done with it for another 100,000...Might look in the phone book for a driveshaft specialist in your area. Took mine to one in town here and drove it in the shop, they removed & cleaned the driveshaft replaced both joints with Spicer u-joints and the carrier bearing, balanced, painted & reinstalled for $150.00. Noticeable difference with the absence of any vibration...

I wouls remove it & take it to a drive shaft shop for service & then have them check the balance too. I don't remember the name but there used to be a shop in Hurst off Hwy10. They did good work for me. Also in Dallas there is Stan Hopkins on Hwy175.

jta75- why dont you just lift the rear wheels off the ground- put jack stands under your rear end, and put it in low or reverse. Take a ruber hose (2') and put one end to your ear, the other use to find where the squeak is coming from.

you could buy your Ujoints from the part store, and borrow thier ball joint press(extra large c-clamp) to install them with.

Some ujoints have to be heated up with a torch to get the plastic rings to melt...only way to get them off....FYI...this was on a 98 chevy

Don't know, hopefully it is your carrier and u joints, it could also be your rear end?????? I think what SkeeterRonnie is suggestion is a good idea, JUST BE CAREFUL, chalk up those front tires so that the vehicle does not move on you by accident. Or let a shop check it out....

anyone recommend any service areas in the Fort Worth area for u-joints?