Hey guys need some advice.. It's been cold and snowy here lately and we are getting hit with a snow storm now... When my truck is cold like after sitting all day at work when I go to back out and I crank my wheel and back out I get a real bad squeek/whine. So far when I have used my 4x4 it has worked fine but that squeek/whine sounds terrible! I was talking to my dad and he and I think I may have a U-Joint problem?

 

check your power steering fluid, you make have a leak in the lines or maybe the pump

 

Power steering seems to be fine. Checked the fluid a week or 2 ago and I havn't noticed any leaking.. However idk if this makes any sense to anyone or not and it may all be in my head but when im driving down the road doing normal speed (55-60) its almost like i can feel something bumping my floorboard very lightly. Dad said it's all in my head but I started looking for noises/symptoms closely after I heard the noises.

 

hmmm...I'm gonna have to wait for someone else to chime in LOL, you got me..

 

Yeah... My dad said that if the hubs are always engaged just not in 4x4 then my u joint(s) are shot in the front end probably.. I have never had a u joint go out on any of my past trucks... If a U joint goes will my 4x4 still work? cuz it locks right in every time I have used it..

 

Your hubs don't "lock" in a 1500.

The front diff is engaged and it runs as a "peg leg".
So in actual fact, most of the time if your equipped with LSD, we are 3WD not 4WD.
As to your squeeling.......you've checked the PS pump so is your serpentine/assessory belt slipping?
In the cold and damp weather, moisture can cause a worn/incorrectly tensioned belt to slip?
I think you can buy a spray on dressing, that helps stop belts slipping. I's only cheap, try that and post up the results.
Just a thought.
Al.

 

OK I think your dad is right! You are describing a U-joint issue. The squeaking noise only starts when you start moving and gets faster and slower with the vehicle speed, right? Also the vibration you are feeling is also a symptom of a bad u-joint. And yes your 4wd will still engage and work until the u-joint self destructs and launches your drive shaft. u-joints are cheap enough get it fixed!

 

Could be U-joint, ball joint or simple as a differential in need of a gear oil change. Tough one to diagnose without getting the truck in the air and checking things out...

 

Yes! That seems to be about it. I really only notice it when I first take off after it has been sitting for a while. After that the noise seems to go away or at least for the most part.. Turn the stereo down after I have been driving for a little bit and I can't hear the terrible noise anymore but the vibration is still there.

 

Hey Hammer,
I can actually get the truck on a lift today and take a peek at what might be going on.. But I really don't know what I would be looking for.. I have never replaced or even checked for that matter U-Joints or anything in that 4x4 system. Pretty sad seems how I have been through Auto 1,2,3 in school.. And we covered that stuff just not too big into detail on 4x4s.