Driveshaft chatter
 

Hey guys,

I have a 2005 Ford F-150 (5.4L) XL and i've become attached since I bought her back in February. It use to be an oil-field truck, but seems like it has been taken care of well. I've replaced a lot of wear and tear parts so far (both upper control arms, lower ball joints & both wheel hub assemblies on front tires).

Now the u-joint replacement has been on my mind as the next replacement project - truck is at 175K now and my experience with my last Ford saw me replacing the universal joint at that mileage. This past week it started happening: when I put it into drive, i start to hear squeaking from 0 - 30 mph and it comes from the bed of the truck.

My experience with this would indicate that I was INDEED on the right track about having to replace u-joints, but when i'm under the carriage, i shake the drive shaft and it holds firm. universal joints (despite being caked with Oklahoma red-dirt) aren't pinned or 'staked' in, thank goodness. But i've been researching about a possible carrier bearing in the drive shaft may be the problem.

Any insight anyone could provide? Thanks in advance!

:oval