Ok fellas, I need some help. I bought a 2001 F-250 4x4 cc powerstrokeabout a month ago. Before I bought it I had noticed that the rear axle differential (balloon looking feature, I guess its called a differentail) was wet looking. Almost like it was leaking grease or something. Anyway, I had the guys I bought it from check it out and they said it was just a loose bolt and not to worry about it. They also said they would spray some acid cleaner on it to remove the wet grease look from back there (never did that either).

Well, I work my truck pretty hard. I pull trailers movingbuildings, decks, furniture, farm equipment, and other things. Since the time I bought it (about 30 days) I've but about 1400 miles on it.

Today I was working and noticed a slight burning smell whenever I got out of my truck. After finishing my last load , I crunk up the truck and put it in reverse and started hearing this really funny sound. It was like "squeak, eerk, squeak, eerk, etc." I thought it was the trailerI was pulling so I got out and inspected, all I noticed was the burning smell again. Not too profound, but enough that I noticed it. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary so I got back into the truck and started home. The squeking sound went away for good after I got over about 20mph and I havn't heard it since.

I always park the truck on cement at my house and have never noticed any oil or wet liquid under the truck (except the air conditioner). This really worries me, could I have a rear axle problem? I'm not mechanical savy at all, so all help would be greatly appreciated. Also, too make matters worse -- my 30 day warrenty expires today and I can't get anyone to look at at b/c all the service stores are closed. Please HELP!!
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The noise sounds like either a bearing or a binding u joint. You could check the level of the rear end to see if it is low or not. Pull the fill plug on the pumpkin, the thing that is wet, and put your finger in, the level should be even with the bottom of the fill hole.