When at speed on the highway next to a dividing wall I can hear what sounds like pennies in a glass jar being rolled across the floor. I cannot pinpoint the sound. This would indicate to me I either have a bad u-joint or worse a front wheel bearing going out. No humming associated with bearing failure so I am not sure. I have checked it out and nothing seems to be loose or missing. Any experiences of the same sort? Thanks in advance.

 

Both are easy to check.Get your truck in the air.If you have a bad u-joint it will be fairly easy to spot.Put the truck in neutral and turn the drive wheel back and forth,you'll find it.When was the last time you put a grease gun to them? As far as wheel bearings,grab the front wheels and and check for free play.When was the last brake job done? When the rotors were off to be turned the bearings and races should have been inspected.Bearings and races are inexpensive.

 

Mine has a bad outboard u-joint on the front axle that sounds the same way. I need to fix it. I can grab the inboard side of the sahft and shake it back and forth.

 

Axle U-joints were replaced in June. Bearings are sealed units are anything but inexpensive. Something like $150 a side IIRC. Driveshaft u-joints on my truck are not greasable. Thanks for the input, anyone else have any info?

 

Is it coming from the 4X4 shift lever? Mine made a similar noise until I lubed the linkage. Just hold the shift lever while you are driving and see if the noise goes away.

 

Will give it a try, but seems to be more intense than that.

 

No dice on the t-case shifter

 

I think I am having the same problem. Was the problem a wheel bearing or did you find something different? My penny's only jingle at low speeds.

 

i stared having that sound after a local shop that does performance work put a mild performance "kit" in mine. to me kinda sounds like its by the firewall they -1. adjusted the governor(moved spring locations) to get it to rev to 2800 rpms, 2- ground my fuel plate, and 3 adjusted the turbo boost somehow. i just assumed it was the gov. planning to take it back to find the source.

john, 95 ctd 237k, cc, lb, kdp tabbed, + a few

 

I have heard this sound before... I thought that it had something to do with brakes... but it was on a drum, not disks. E-brake cable?

EDIT: TX, you have a 96, did they have drums?

 

I do have drums and it very well may be something inside there making noise. I just replaced all the hardware and shoes inside the rear drums so I hope that is not what it is. I have noticed here lately that the T-case is leaking everytime I park it instead of only when it has been sitting a while. I wonder if I have a U-joint going that is taking a seal with it at the same time? Mine makes noise when going down the highway at speed. I really cant hear it at low speed, but usually RPM's are up and the exhaust is preventing me from hearing much.

 

I have new u-joints in front axles and rear drive shaft. I did just have a new clutch installed so my jar of penny's could be from that. I do have a wheel bearing with quite a bit of play and am replacing it in the next couple days. I'll let you know if that takes care of my problem. Thanks.

 

U joints would be my first guess but.... The next time you're under the truck pop the inspection plate and check for cracks in the flex plate. I know it's going to be next to impossible but you might just see something. My 1st gen would sing like that when I was towing.

 

Tape a tape recorder under the truck at different points and drive down the road. See where it's loudest at, and go from there...

 

I have a couple other posts about a sound coming from my truck that really only shows its face when the windows are up. Any how I have suspected a cracked flexplate for a while now and have tightened all the bolts on it but the sound is still there. Maybe parts are coming off and rattling around in there.