I have noticed that over the last few months I have gained quite a bit of squeaking from the rear axle, which it sounds like either the driver or pass. side rear. When I start to slow down from 3rd to 2nd, to 1st, it gradually gets worst. It only completely goes away when I shift into neutral and slow down with the brakes from 3rd to 2nd, 1st or from 2nd to 1st or just to neutral period. It returns whenever I shift back into 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, but cannot tell if it does in 4th since I cannot hear it when there is wind from the window at 35 to 40 mph.

I haven't had the time or the weather to jack the rear up and set it on jack stands and put it in gear to isolate the problem.

I'm up for any ideas.
Thanks again for any suggestions.

 

Is it a constant noise, or a repetitive beat? Greased the ujoints lately?

 

bad ujoints.

 

I thought maybe u-joints, but I always inspect them in warmer weather, and around oil changes. Thanks, I will inspect them on the drive shaft soon. They are also ungreasable since they came from factory without grease zurts.

The sound is constant, in rhythm. like squeak.da.da.,squeak, with rotation, but only when in gear, never in neutral.

 

My '88 F-150 I6/5sp. has a two-piece driveshaft, with a carrier bearing midway back. I don't believe it was squeaking, but it was growling. I found it with an automotive stethascope--they're only about $20.00 and are VERY handy, for all kinds of noises. And that bearing was really easy to change.

Just be sure you're on a lift, or safely on jackstands, blocked and chocked, etc...., and don't get wound up in the driveshaft, with long hair or loose clothes--knock on wood three times--all that precautionary stuff!

Good luck.