[97TacoDude]

I've got a '97 4x4 with a 2.7L. I'm hearing a chriping/squeaking noise coming from somewhere in the back end that seems to be proportinal with speed. I'm guessing it's either a u-joint or the rear end. The truck has 80,000 miles and I've never changed the read diff fluid yet, is this really bad? Do people always change their diff fluid? Could it be a bearing? It's very hard to describe the sound.

 

[ARB1977]

I've got a '97 4x4 with a 2.7L. I'm hearing a chriping/squeaking noise coming from somewhere in the back end that seems to be proportinal with speed. I'm guessing it's either a u-joint or the rear end. The truck has 80,000 miles and I've never changed the read diff fluid yet, is this really bad? Do people always change their diff fluid? Could it be a bearing? It's very hard to describe the sound.

The service manual says to change it every 30K, your about triple over that. Just like your engine oil it will some day brake down. I dont know if that would cause your problem but i would change it anyway. I run synthetic in my rearend and i change it every 30K. All it takes is about 2 quarts. Do you run your truck hard, offroad it? If you done some water crossings lately you might have water that was sucked in and if thats the case you better change it asap if you dont change it could be very bad.

 

[nastynate]

I've got a '97 4x4 with a 2.7L. I'm hearing a chriping/squeaking noise coming from somewhere in the back end that seems to be proportinal with speed. I'm guessing it's either a u-joint or the rear end. The truck has 80,000 miles and I've never changed the read diff fluid yet, is this really bad? Do people always change their diff fluid? Could it be a bearing? It's very hard to describe the sound.

did you go off road recently? you might have some sh*t stuck in the brakes (small squeak)

definitely change diff fluid though.. if that doesn't fix it, look at your brakes.

 

[KStacoma]

I'd say u-joint, get under there and shake them for play.

 

[tanKoma]

wouldnt hurt to get the diffs flushed out too

 

[Fishbone]

I second the u-joint, or third, or....

 

[96tacolx]

A bad u-joint will normally make a hollow, metallic squeek/chirp that will raise in pitch the faster you go. Block the wheels and put the truck in neutral and crawl underneath and check for any play by moving up/down and side to side.

 

[joeylead]

I've got a '97 4x4 with a 2.7L. I'm hearing a chriping/squeaking noise coming from somewhere in the back end that seems to be proportinal with speed. I'm guessing it's either a u-joint or the rear end. The truck has 80,000 miles and I've never changed the read diff fluid yet, is this really bad? Do people always change their diff fluid? Could it be a bearing? It's very hard to describe the sound.

I had a squeak as well. I thought it was my beakes but it didnt go away after replacing everything. It turned out to be my rear u-joint. When I put it on a vice and started smacking it to take it out, rust fell out from one of the caps. The grease pathway had become blockes and on of the ends totally rusted out. If you never changed your diff fluid, have you been adding grease to the u-joints? If not, it may be the problem. If you replace the u-joint, get one from toyota. I got one from autosone and the fitting is between the cups. I had to get a special fitting for my grease gun for it.

 

[96tacolx]

I had a squeak as well. I thought it was my beakes but it didnt go away after replacing everything. It turned out to be my rear u-joint. When I put it on a vice and started smacking it to take it out, rust fell out from one of the caps. The grease pathway had become blockes and on of the ends totally rusted out. If you never changed your diff fluid, have you been adding grease to the u-joints? If not, it may be the problem. If you replace the u-joint, get one from toyota. I got one from autosone and the fitting is between the cups. I had to get a special fitting for my grease gun for it.

Just curious, does the toyota replacement u-joints have grease fittings. Where are they located on the u-joint?

 

[Sonoran Taco]

Hey guys, I went out to the desert to do a little bit of wheelin with my lady today and when we got back the pavement my truck had this weird squeeling sound coming from the rear end. At first I thought it was sand or some rocks that got caught in my rear drum brakes, but the sound isn't all the time...its just when I throttle up...like rev it up when I 'm driving...not while i'm in neutral. I checked the spare tire...the muffler and all that stuff...i'm starting to think its my drive shaft...Do 2nd Gens have these grease spots as well in the rear by the diff After reading all the stuff above it sounds like this is my problem. I'm changing my rear diff fluid next Saturday and I'm gonna hose the hell outta the under side of the truck to see if the loosens any crap up that may be stuck

 

[project91]

Mine is doing the same shit. I put it on jackstands yesterday, fired it up, shifted through the gears and when I push and let off the gas, the driveshaft is squeaking/rattiling. I dunno. Pissing me off.

 

[my2coma]

Just curious, does the toyota replacement u-joints have grease fittings. Where are they located on the u-joint?

If there are fittings, you will see them.

 

[peavey5150]

do u have a set of blocks in the back? could be when your running your u bolts are loose and she slides a bit and squeeks...i speak from experince in that department!

 

[96tacomasiglecab'r]

just grease the ujoints & driveline, I just went threw the same problem...