I have a 2004 XLT V8 4wd, I just noticed that there is a squeaking coming from the passenger rear of my truck. This only seams to be when i am driving. The brakes seam a little warn but the sound does not stop when braking and does not change in pitch. I have read the u-joints can do this, are they easy to replace, or do i need any special tools. I looked online and a few say 2 joint shaft or 3 joint shaft. What is the difference? please help, this is my primary and can't have it down for very long.
Thanks.

 

If it's a u-joint it is a repeating squeak, squeak, squeak noise. Does this sound right or is yours a steady noise?

 

you are right a squeak, squeak, squeak noise.

 

these trucks are also known for the tailgate squeeking mine squeeks on the passinger side you might want to try and lube the hinges and the latch and see if it goes away

 

Like JHartley said it could be the tailgate. I replaced the plastic tube on the passenger side latch post and mt squeak went away. It it over bumps and rough roads or any time the truck is moving (slow or fast)

 

If it is a repetitive squeak squeak squeak noise and if it changes with vehicle speed, it is a u-joint. Try removing the driveshaft, then move the joints by hand. That should tell you which one it is.

 

What is the difference between the 2 joint and 3 joint parts. I see both on the parts sites.

 

Look at the drive shaft. If there are 2 joints between the transfer case and the differential, then you have a 2 joint shaft. If there are 3, then you have a 3 joint shaft.

 

Some of these trucks have a one piece drive shaft and some have a two piece drive shaft. I have the latter and have multiple ujoints.

 

I also just noticed that the u joints don't have spring clips. it seams that they just punched down some of the edge below the spring clip channel to seat the u joint. Do I just grind these tabs down to put in the new ones?

 

I also just noticed that my rear brake pads are low. Could this also be the source of the squeaking? I am going to change those and see if that helps. The u-joints look fine, no grease or anything out of place, and there does not seam to be any play in them. I guess i am just reluctant to disassemble them if I don't have to. Can a bad u-joint be visually inspected to see if it is bad. or do they only fail internally.
Thanks again for all your guy's help, I do appreciate this.

 

If the squeaking doesn't go away or change when you apply the brakes, then the noise is not coming from the brakes.
Typically if the u-joint is squeaking it has dried inside. It may not be loose yet, but if you take the drive shaft out and try to move the joint by hand you will feel the resistance.
Have you tried removing the driveshaft and moving the joints?

 

I know you said you have a squeek in the rearend. My truck was making a funny sound when i was driving at lower speeds. after a while of checking the parking brake pads had come off and were rubbing inside the drums

 

So I replaced the rear brake pads and they were down to just metal. I have not taken the driveshaft off yet, I think i will try that next. after changing the brakes. the sqeaking was gone for about 3 miles. then it started up again, but went away after about another 2 miles down the road. I may have to look at the parking brake pads, did not know that they had them considering that I have rear disk brakes, will look into it though.
would the u-joint noise be steady all the time if they were bad or come and go?

 

Typically the u-joint noise wouldn't come and go. Next time you are driving and hear the noise try LIGHTLY applying the e-brake. If the noise changes then you know the e-brake is the problem.