Squeal only while backing - rear driveshaft?

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Oct 1, 2004 | 08:38 AM

sooner150

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

Squeal only while backing - rear driveshaft?

I have a 1999 f15 4x4. It just started making a squeal sound as you back up, but only as you are backing. Sounds like it is the rear u-joint but all seems well. We live on a gravel road and it has been dry. Can road dust make this happen or is this something else. Appreciate any help.

Oct 1, 2004 | 05:07 PM

triton_2002

Postmaster

Joined: Aug 2003

Posts: 2,977

Likes: 1

From: South Texas

My brother's Z71 started doing that. Kind of a grinding, squealing noise when backing up, it was a bad U-joint. I would try to find the replacement with the grease fitting, not the sealed one, if it is a bad U-joint.

Oct 1, 2004 | 08:37 PM

Racerguy

Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 12,679

Likes: 15

From: BC, Canada

Hi Gary and welcome to the forum

Is it a steady squeel or a squeek squeek?

Oct 2, 2004 | 10:38 AM

sooner150

Thread Starter

New User

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 4

Likes: 0

It is more of a squeak, squeak, squeak. It makes me believe that the rear U-joint is dried out since the sqeal changes as the driveshaft rotates. Seemed strange that it would only do it while backing though??? I have not seen something like that before....

Oct 3, 2004 | 10:59 AM

Racerguy

Hotshot

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 12,679

Likes: 15

From: BC, Canada

A U-joint that only squeeks in reverse is quite common. In reverse it's loaded differently than when you're going forward.

Oct 3, 2004 | 11:26 AM

bigdavewilson

Elder User

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 591

Likes: 0

From: Mirror, Alberta

Squeal from rear

Quote:

Originally Posted by sooner150

Does your '99 have disk brakes on the rear wheels? Both my 02 and 04 trucks would/will make rear wheel squealing noises while backing up which seem to be due to dirt or rocks in the brakes. The noise would not happen moving forward. Wish I could tell you a solution but short of cleaning the brakes once a month I doubt there is one. I'm pretty sure that disk brakes on the rear are not the answer for dusty, rocky and/or muddy conditions. I was hoping the new brakes on the 04 would correct the problem, but it still does it.