Hauled 1200 lbs of heating pellets today and noticed something about my squeak in the rear. I have a rhythmic squeak that increases with speed, but goes away when you use the brakes. Been meaning to post about this and what happened today reinforced that for me. When loaded today the squeak went away. I have hauled loads before and never noticed this, but today I did. Mainly would like to figure out what might be squeaking when unloaded as that's 95% of the time. I'm thinking maybe an axle. Don't think it's the wheels I put on as I'm pretty sure it did it with the steels on there too. Looking for ideas and pointers.

 

Probably one of the u-joints.... as you load the van, the rear squats, and the joint operates at less of an angle, so, not as much squeak.

 

Why would applying the brake make that squeak go away under unloaded conditions though.

 

following

 

Thought about this and maybe the change in the direction of force on the joint is causing the noise to go away. There is no vibration going on like a typical bad u-joint. Need to see if there is any way to get some grease in it and if so see if that changes anything.

 

The joint squeaks loudest under load.... with your foot on the brake, I would like to think you aren't also stepping on the gas.

 

The noise is there when the van is rolling forwards on the gas or off. It only stops when I apply the brake.

 

Hhhmmm..... Have you looked at the condition of the brakes??

 

No. Been dealing with so many issues on this thing and the noise has always bothered me, but other things were more important. Still not figured out the parasitic draw.
The brakes work fine and there isn't any noise from them other than the squeak, and that is if the noise is actually form the brakes. Thought it was from the fronts, but the more I listen the more I think it is from the rear.

 

If it well make the noise at low speed, try having someone else drive slowly (parking lot?) and walk beside the van to see if you can localize the noise.