2006 cummins Squeak, Bad u-joints?

[bigbadchev84]

My 2006 3500 just developed a squeek, or a high pitched chirp. I have jacked up all 4 corners and spun the the tires, Brakes are fine.


The noise is only under load, and increases with mph, It is not dependant on engine rpm. I just drove it for 5 miles and the u-joints arent even warm to the touch. I have 106,xxx miles on it. Is there a for sure way to find out what u-joint it is or maybe the carrier bearing on the driveline?

At $50 per u-joint I dont want to just throw money at it and hope that fixes it.

 

[sweetk30]

friend has one around same year. he has done a rear ujoint 2-3 time now ( see post #5 here ) . for some reason its the same joint every time. so pull the drive shaft and check the movement of the joints by hand. you will prob find a bad one.

and block the wheels and set parking brake please. no truck rolling needed.

 

[Cornfield creations]

What about the e-brake shoes inside the rotor/drum? Maybe some rust built up on the backing plates? Just a thought

 

[bigbadchev84]

What about the e-brake shoes inside the rotor/drum? Maybe some rust built up on the backing plates? Just a thought

Its a 6 speed, and I use my parking brake everytime i get out, So i dont think its rust, Will check out the u-joints by hand.

 

[manchildau65]

Doubt it... my guess is that it's the rear u-joint at the axle (don't ask me why I would know )

Also, are you a single rear shaft or you running a carrier?

 

[ktmoutfront]

Rear u joint. Have changed a bunch, and I don't work on Dodges. Found the easiest way to get the old joint out is to torch it.

 

[bigbadchev84]

i am running a carrier

 

[79bonanza]

have you checked your ball joints, ive heard some pretty high pitch squeaks coming out of them with the tires sitting perfectly verticle. just a thought

 

[manchildau65]

May want to think about going one piece rear driveshaft...

http://www.cumminsforum.com/forum/3rd-gen-powertrain/373338-driveshaft.html

 

[Blazinaire]

Doubt it... my guess is that it's the rear u-joint at the axle (don't ask me why I would know )

I thought I was alone! My '03 had it's first "chirping bird following me" before it reached 60k and another at around 110k. Both times it was the rear driveline joint at the axle flange.

I had a front axle joint do the same around 100k and that one was a pain to figure out as it wouldn't do it consistently. I figured it out by doing slow 4 low circles in my cul-de-sac, that made it sound extra angry. I ended up milling the insides of the axle shaft yokes (increased to 3.00") and using spicer 5-806x dana 60 u-joints (with full circle external snaprings) that could be found anywhere, they are cheaper and have a higher tq rating too! Of course they won't squeek while going down the road anymore since I ditched the unit bearings