I have a 2004 3500 crew cab longbed, I noticed the other day while pulling into a service shop that there was an alternating squeak (on,off,on,off,on,off) sounded to fast to be the rear brakes and they are brand new. One of the techs in the shop said it was a the rear u-joint. I don't hear a clunk or anything but there is definately a noise from the rear. I looked underneath near the axle and it is different than what I'm used to (former 96 cummins owner). Any help would be appreciated such as a certain make that would be the best replacement or even other possible problems that it could be.

 

your description of the noise sounds like u-joints. when you start to move the squeak gets faster when you acellerate then its most likely u-joints. look for rust around u-joints. a oranges powdery substance. that noise is from a dry ujoint.

1}make sure u replace the ujoint with a greasable joiNT

THIS IS NOT HARD TO DO BUT IVE SEEN PEOPLE DESTROY OR DAMAGE THE SHAFT CAUSING A VIBRATION. IVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR A LONG TIME AS A PROFESSION IF YOU WANT INSTRUCTIONES RATHER THAN BRINGING TO A GARAGE LET ME KNOW. oops i didnt now caps were on. u need a ujoint press or if your good you can use a hammer and vise.

 

Some instructions would be great. I have a vise and a bfh if I need it. Thanks for the response.

 

the factory joints are retained but plastic and unless you have the correct holders and push pins ,you could use a hydraulic press (hard to come up with ) will have to heat the caps carefuly ,to extruded out the little holes in the yoke and drive shaft tube u-joint ear's.then support the drive shaft carefully in the vise near the enp with out clamping around the weight that is wealded on ,use a 3 lb short handel hammer and a drift big enough to go into the cap hole without damaging the hole drive the u-joint out. clean the cap holes out lightly with 320 grit emery cloth,carefully put the u-joiny cross into the hole with the grease fitting twards the clear opening to be able to put the hose coupling on. stick it into the hole ,put the cap on the cross carefully drive the cap in turn the shaft carefully lift the cross up without pylling out of the installed cap and start a cap in the hole drioft it in enough to get the clip in the grove .might have to tap the other side cap down to get the clip in .,if it is to big to put it in the vise and use cup's and drivers to push the caps out .a u-joint press would be great but very pricey . it's hard to show somebody with out not having hands on ,good luck !

 

further note some times the joint get's tight when you drive the cap in enough to get the clip in ,you can support the opposing caps on the vise and wack the shaft yoke both side's ,it should losen it up,

 

I jacked up the rear end and put it in drive to verify the squeak and it was definately coming from the rear part of the driveline. It is a two-piece dl, and the high pitch squeak echoes through the dl pretty sure from the rear at the pumpkin but the u-joint looks solid but one cap looks like it has leaked grease.
I have never heard a u-joint squeak, always 'clunk'. Could it be the differential? I really hope not. The roller bearing? seems to be good in between the shafts and the diff is full.

 

if it's a rotational relitivly hi pitched squeak ,your u-joint is going to fail,one of the cap's is dry .i hate none greasable joint's .