Truck started a high pitched squeal about 10k miles ago, I thought it was brakes. Nothing wrong with the brakes, replaced them and no change. Next it started a grinding sort of vibration above 65mph. Now it grinds from 40 mph up. I jacked it up last night and the wheel bearings seem smooth with no noticable end play.

I got under it and found the squeal as I rotated the driveshaft. Seems to come from the area of the pinion seal. I replaced the pinion seal (it was leaking) and ujoints but nothing made any difference.

Why would it sqeal from the center of the rearend? How can this be causing the roughness at speed?

Help appreciated,
Dave Smith

 

If you have a 2 peice drive shaft, the center carrier bearing could be going bad. You may have to remove the bearing support from the crossmember to check the bearing. If the noise still comes from the rear end with the drive shaft off, pull the rear cover and check the bottom of the case for metal flakes. If there are flakes, the bearings are probably the problem. Does the pinion move up & down or in & out? or feel rough while turning it?

 

In neutral, with the tires on the ground I can twist the driveshaft back and forth almost a quarter inch.

 

Any good rearend shops in teh Canton, Ohio area? (Within an hour or 2 preferably)

 

Hills & Dales Auto Care usually does a good job for me. Generally good all round mechanics. Only other guy (and he's reasonable) I've used is the Dealer out on Hills & Dales and Wales Ave. Neither come cheap!

John