So I've gone through and replaced almost all of the worn out parts now, and really there isn't much left to be done to it. But today I changed the fluid in the differentials and the transfer case, but after I was done, I put it in 4x4 and went up and down my gravel driveway a bit trying to spin the gravel. After this, I put it back into 2wd and go drive around a bit and I hear a squeak squeak squeak, more so under power, but you can still hear it when coasting. I've tried it 2wd and 4x4 modes and it's the same ... sounds like the transfer case, but I can't get the truck to do it when it's up on jack stands in either 4x4 or 2wd modes ..

The other thing I noticed, is the driveshaft seems to have cracks in it?



It also seems to make a small creaking/cracking sound when I go from reverse to drive and start moving, or drive to reverse. This sound only happens under load though. Almost seems like the driveshaft is cracked or something ...

Thoughts?

 

Is that the aluminum drive line?

 

Yeah that's the driveshaft. It is aluminum with a fiberglass anti-vibration coating I guess. It almost feels like the transmission is slipping a little, too. But I only noticed these sounds and the slippage after I changed my differential and transfer case fluids.

I dunno ... maybe I got a rock or something in one of the fill holes from the end of my little fluid sucker/pusher?

 

Could be the carrier bearing.

 

Well that is a great suggestion, but my truck has a straight drive shaft from the transfer case to the rear axle, no carrier bearing.

I'm thinking I might have blew something in the trans when I had it in 4x4 and tried to spin gravel in 4 high ... could have been on its last leg anyways. Who knows, but when I have some time/money I thin I'm gonna pull the pan and change the fluid/filter and see if there's any debris in there. I think it's a combination of A) further helping the transmission to start slipping by trying to spin gravel in 4 high, B) the U joints started making joist coincidentally at the same time, C) the drive shaft yoke splines are clunking like all chevy trucks do ... so who knows really. I'm probably gonna drive it till it breaks. I really don't have much of a choice.

 

That's what I would do. Just turn the music up so you don't here weird noises.

 

Pull the rear drive shaft and check both the joints.
You will know if one is seizing up then.
If your concerned about the driveshaft check with some local salvage yards, should be plenty out there.
I've had good luck with Dix auto parts and Schrams just to name a couple.

 

I usually change my U-joints every spring anyway, just as maintenance.

 

Now, I've never done this before, but can I pull the rear driveshaft and put the truck in 4x4 and go for a test drive to check for a difference in noise? I know this is how we do it when we're checking for noises in the front driveshafts anyways. Just pop 'em out and go for a spin.

Yeah I'm gonna check the U joints this weekend ...

 

Yup, the rear most U joint on the differential side of the rear driveshaft was toasted. One of the cups had a chunk missing, the needles fell out of one of the cups, and the other two were seized. So .. three new U joints from Advanced and finally the third was the right one. Took longer to get the right part than it did to get it in the driveshaft ...

Anyways, all seems well again. I also fixed my tailgate handle. But it turns out that the PO cut a hole in the bed to get to the fuel pump (Which is making a whining sound, btw), the bottom of the tail gate is all rotted out, and the hinges are also rotted out. Plus when the handle and latches seized up on the PO, he just pulled harder and dented the inside of the tailgate. So now with the handle off of my old 89 truck on there, you have to pull the handle up REALLY far to get the latches to let go ...

So I need a new tailgate and hinges ...