1999 4Runner Unidentified Problem. Advice?

[RyanMcCarthy]

This is my first time posting on here so here I go. I have a 1999 4Runner Limited with 136,000 miles. It's been very well (almost obsessively) taken care of during it's life. Recently I noticed that when accelerating in the 0-30mph range, it's been making a squeaking noise that goes on and off and gets faster as the car accelerates. I tried revving the engine in neutral and it didn't make the noise, and it's never made the noise when the car is not accelerating. It sounds like it's coming from the front. I'm just wondering if any of you know what this is and how it's dealt with. Thanks!

 

[hrt4me]

can you post a video clip featuring the noise you describe?

 

[Sponge Bob]

May be u-joints, check u-joints if you can lube them do so. See if that changes anything.

 

[RyanMcCarthy]

May be u-joints, check u-joints if you can lube them do so. See if that changes anything.

After looking at YouTube videos, a bad u-joint does fit the description of my problem. Do you think there's also a possibility it could be a belt? The only reason it may not be a belt is because the noise only happens during acceleration.

 

[RyanMcCarthy]

can you post a video clip featuring the noise you describe?

I'll post one tomorrow morning.

 

[shootmymime]

i dont think its a belt because it dosnt make the noise when its in neutral.

i am pretty sure it would be a u joint. get under the truck and grease them up.

 

[nissanh]

I don't think you took care of it the proper way.......

How often you grease the drive shaft. There are U joints and splines. Don't put too much grease to the splines (york).

 

[RyanMcCarthy]

I don't think you took care of it the proper way.......

How often you grease the drive shaft. There are U joints and splines. Don't put too much grease to the splines (york).

I've been having the dealer do all the maintenance. I get it serviced every 5-10k miles. I'm 18 and this is my first car and I'm trying to learn about it so someday I'll be able to do my own work. Right now all I know how to do is change oil. Do the dealers take proper care of the U-joints?

 

[Sponge Bob]

Not all u-joints have grease fitting, joints will go bad. If the truck has been used off road (water crossing) water can get in u-joint . While all oil change and other shop including the dealers say they lube grese fittings with oil change. The only way to know for sure is to DIY, the employee doing the work may not be the most quality minded person.

 

[cfranck1]

Sounds like a dry u-joint.
Get under truck and check if there are grease fittings on the u-joint and grease them up.
Might want to just change the particular u-joint anyway being that it's squeaking. The needle bearings are probably shot.