Hopefully someone can help me find the source of this noise before something breaks...

I hear it out the drivers side window, think it is behind me. It doesn't happen if I rev the car in neutral nor if I am coasting. The squeaking speeds up as the car speeds up in drive or reverse. I've got a TH350, posi rear. Is there a safe way to run the engine in drive while the car is up on jackstands?

thanks for any help,

Dan

Dan,
Sounds like a U-joint to me. Get under the car and look for any rust around the ends of the joints...its a dead giveaway that the bearings in the joint are gone. Also, try prying the joint around with a screwdriver...it should have very little slop in it. I would not get under the car with it running on jackstands. if you decide to try it, have someone in the car at all times and just "look" from the outside, again...do not get under the car while it is running !

Originally posted by 72Vellepilot:
Is there a safe way to run the engine in drive while the car is up on jackstands?
Yeah, be someplace else when it is going on smile.gif

Before you actually run the car on stands, try just jacking it up and spinning the wheels. Oh, and have someone dial 9-1- and hold their finger over the 1 if you do decide to run it that way. Also, when the wheels get going, don't stab the brakes to stop them. Brake gently or you could break an axle.

I'm going to vote with Bill on the U-joint though. Reach under there and shake it. If it has a zerk, grease it and see if the noise goes away.

K

Hey guys

just wanted to post a little follow-up here. Turns out it was the u-joints. Tugging on them while in the car didn't reveal any looseness/play but after removing the driveshaft and pressing out the bearings I could see most were all dried up and rusted. It was something I haven't really checked since buying the car. For future reference, replacing the trunnions and bearings (all in a kit from Spicer) ended the squeak, a hefty CHu-CHoNk from shifting into drive/reverse, and a vibration at 50-55mph. All in all, not bad for $25 bucks, plus a good excuse to buy a new craftsman vise. graemlins/thumbsup.gif

thanks

Dan