Help Diagnosing Problem

DirtDawg

New member
Vehicle: 1999 Toyota 4Runner SR5 Highlander V6 4WD 148,000 Miles Lifted & Locked

Problem: I am hearing a squeaking noise coming from the rear end. The squeak is to fast for me to think it is rear axle related. I think it is my driveshaft u-joints. I tried lubricating them and it stopped for a second, but then came back.

Questions:
  • Do you guys think that it is the u-joints?
  • What price range am I looking at for a repair?
  • How can I get this diagnosed?
  • What is the cheapest way of doing this?

I can supply more information or details if needed. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Connor
 
Register to hide this ad
When does it happen? is it speed or load related? happens on bumps? during hard acceleration or randomly? If you have access to a good set of jack stands you can jack up the rear tires off the ground and support it. Have a buddy put it in drive and try and duplicate the issue while your under the truck or if you aren't comfortable going under just lay next to it and try and listen for where it is coming from.
 
When does it happen? is it speed or load related? happens on bumps? during hard acceleration or randomly? If you have access to a good set of jack stands you can jack up the rear tires off the ground and support it. Have a buddy put it in drive and try and duplicate the issue while your under the truck or if you aren't comfortable going under just lay next to it and try and listen for where it is coming from.
It happens at slow speeds. It is noticeable in drive, but is crazy loud in reverse. It will happen at all times in about 1-8 MPH. Once I go above ~8 MPH it cannot be heard. No difference over bumps. I was trying to avoid doing that test yet, but will in the near future.
 
I realized that. I just wanted to see if anyone could answer those questions.
I had a similar problem in a previous car of mine. You could really hear it in reverse. You could sometimes here in it drive. They ended up replacing the whole drive-shaft under warranty.

- The Other Connor
 
I had a similar problem in a previous car of mine. You could really hear it in reverse. You could sometimes here in it drive. They ended up replacing the whole drive-shaft under warranty.

- The Other Connor
Haha, thats funny. Like your name. I am just wondering could it be anything else on the driveshaft?
 
Probably the most rear u joint is shot.
Does the sound get faster as the faster you go until you can hear it anymore??

Get under there and check it side to side for movement, and check around each of the four caps for a reddish brown rusty color..

Since you said you greased it and it went away, try to grease it more just to verify it. You can also dismount the driveshaft off the rear axle and move the flange around to check for any hard spots.
 
Probably the most rear u joint is shot.
Does the sound get faster as the faster you go until you can hear it anymore??

Get under there and check it side to side for movement, and check around each of the four caps for a reddish brown rusty color..

Since you said you greased it and it went away, try to grease it more just to verify it. You can also dismount the driveshaft off the rear axle and move the flange around to check for any hard spots.
Yes, the sound does get faster and faster till I can't hear it anymore. And thanks, I will try that. I have greased it a lot of times but no fix. And considering that my whole underside is rusty, there will probably be a rusty color.
 

Members online

Forum statistics

Threads
278,305
Messages
3,554,042
Members
248,016
Latest member
Advally Service

Trending content

Back
Top