when my u-joints went, it would squeak when accelerating and going over bumps. and bang when you put it into gear.

 

I noticed a squeek coming from the front and back of my '00 QC so I did a very simple little test... smeared grease on the pistons of my struts... squeeking immediately went away for a day or two... it's back now that the grease has worn off, but now I know where the problem is... just gotta go spend the $200 for struts, a case of beer, 1-2 friends and a few hours of 'work for beer' haha