I hear a squeaking noise coming from underneath my truck starting at about 5mph and I assume all the way up to highway speeds (I really can't tell at higher speeds cause of diesel noise). I was told that it was my one of my axle u-joints and the only way to tell is to drive very slowly w/ someone outside listening. Well I don't have anyone to help me listen, so can I jack-up one rear tire (or both) and rotate it myself and listen or put it in drive? If it is one om my u-joints how do I go about in replacing it myself w/ just a tool chest of tools? I don't want to go the mechanic or the steelership (I can't spell this word the other way because for some reason this site won't let me which is stupid) way because of costing tooo much money.

 

its probably your U jont. My truck was doing the same thing and my mechanic found that the U joint was dry as a bone. He pulled it and got grease in there and now its quiet. Last time the deeler replaced it ....free of charge but that was under warranty. Its been 3 years and all is still quiet. Good Luck, Sawood.

 

So we are talking about two different things? They aren't the same?

 

there are only axel u-joints in the front axel, so jacking up the rear of the truck will not help.

to check the front, jack up one side of truck, observe the u-joint while rocking the frt wheel back and forth, if you see movement in the joint, its toast, if you see ANY rust colored dust around the joint its toast.

rear drive shaft (came as front drv shaft and front axel joints) can be checked by hand, wiggle up/down and twisting back and forth, a joint can fail and still feel tight, when this happens typically you see rust colored dust around the caps.
to check for play in rear shaft joints apply park brake(chalk wheels) put tranny in neutral, this relieves the strain on the drv shaft so you can check for slop/movement.

most places offer free inspections, so if your not sure how to check for play, take it there and have it diagnoised, then read up on how to change a u-joint

 

im getting my replaced tomorrow.. nickg told you whats up.."jack up one side of truck, observe the u-joint while rocking the frt wheel back and forth, if you see movement in the joint, its toast."

thats what i did and found out mines loose as hell! same thing when im driving you can here a squeaking noise/rattle.