ok.Going to highlight my ignorance in suspension/differentials here.Heard a squeak like brakes 2 days ago. Ignored it as it kind of sounded like it was comming and going like brakes.Kept coming back and as I was backing in today I jumped out and had wife back it up as it seemed worse hard turn in reverse.Not brakes. Definitely sounded like from the diff/u-joint area. I wondered if I had run out of fluid so pulled the rear diff plug - theres fluid but it really is burnt and darker in color and obviously there's metal on metal contact for that squeaking sound.Heres the tricky part. Its Saturday evening. Im in a state park and moving around 20 miles with 5th wheel tomorrow to another park. I dont think I have any choice but to hook up and carefully get it there and hope for best. Even then its then Sunday and I start a new job Monday and only have 1 car.So - whats everyone think could/is the issue, how to check ... and how about the driving I mention above ?Obviously Im going to pull the rear diff cover ASAP and see whats going on ......... but apart from seeing burnt fluid and some metal shavings ...... dont know what else to look for or expect.thx

John in a pinch you can do the following in the camp site. You'll need to be careful about cleaning up any moisture afterwards. But you could turn the grill on, or oven to 300 deg or less ( won't hurt the temper in the steel), put the bearings in the heat. Buy some dry ice and a cheap cooler. Put the carrier in the cooler for a long enough period that the metal is chilled all the way through (think hours and hours not mins.) The bearings will slip right on, with maybe some gentle persuasion. Of course the problem would be getting the old bearings off the carrier first. But again I'm thinking rented bearing puller and something stout enough for the puller to push against. It would work if you had to do it that way.

The hanger/carrier bearing is mounted in rubber.

The hanger/carrier bearing is mounted in rubber.

Missed communication on my part. For some reason I was talking / thinking we were discussing the ring gear carrier in the diff.

Took a video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJGQm-qMkGA&feature=g-upl Cant hear anything much though spinning the wheels of the shaft. Best as I can tell the sounds is coming from back left wheel. Kind of sounds like dust or stones in a disc brake ... but their drums. Think I am goin to have to pull the tire and maybe the bearings and see if rust/dirt - there was very little/no play. Still chasing.

Uh.......... I heard nothing but bugs in the background.

As much as I think you posting a video is awesome, u-joints wont make noise unless they're stressed or ready to fall apart. And if they were ready to fall apart then you could easily spot the culprit just by turning the driveshaft by hand and watching for movement in the u-joint themselves. So get under there and start grabbing, turning, and tugging on stuff and see if you spot anything loose.

- - - Updated - - -

These are both extreme examples of failed u-joints but at least its an example of what kind of movement you're looking for when twisting the driveshaft by hand. Sometimes the movement is minimal but just note that there should be NO movement from one u-joint cap to another.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkW6qd9C8hk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHEIyscDRgM

Should have said that there seems to be no play or issues in the ujoints. And although carrier bearing looks rough it might not be that either. So thinking back rear wheel .... But nothing obvious yet .... Just seems to be where it's comming ....

Hmmm... Since is a fluid covered area that might be a cause you might end up at least pulling both hubs and checking bearings. Then popping the diff. cover and checking the carrier bearings. Might not have play in it right now but it might show where on a cone race.

All the other replys are good but lets stick with the simple first.Pull the brake drums and see what the brake pads and drums look like and then you will see if there is any oil leak starting at an outer wheel bearing.Much like u-joints they can make noise in one direction but load them up in the opposite direction and they will not make a sound.

Well go figure this outTook it to firestone to get balanced and rotated as I have free for life of tires .......and havent done yetNow the sound has gone.Going to monitor - been 4 days no "squeak"

aa odd eh?

Well it's back ..,. So jacked it all up again today ... All seems pretty tight and good .... Going to have to pull the wheels off maybe this weekend and check .,,, Else off to the shop

Maybe it's the twin turbos...Send 'em my way, and I'll install them and let you know if I hear anything... ;)seriously, keep us posted.

It would be easier for us to swap turbo's since im close.

Haha Well on the quiet. Part of me has been considering trading in for a classic truck - Chevy apache stepside or similar Can't see me doing it ..,,,, but hmmm

Haha Well on the quiet. Part of me has been considering trading in for a classic truck - Chevy apache stepside or similar Can't see me doing it ..,,,, but hmmm

Could swap in a classic Chevy rear axle and get rid of the factory junk. I'm so looking forward to when I get around to doing the swap to mine. Sent from my DROID BIONIC using Tapatalk 2