Gentlemen,
I have the worst fluttery whir ca clink noise I can best describe. It is a rotational noise and ceases when the vehicle comes to a complete stop. I’ve checked the brakes on all four corners and everything is spinning fine with little resistance. I’ve felt the hubs, axles, diffs, and rims hoping to find a hotspot and the problem. I took another test drive and my mother in law pointed out it sounded like it was coming from the middle of the vehicle. I stopped and then grabbed each end of the driveshaft. The axle end was warm like everything else in normal operation, the diff case end of the drive shaft however was hot to the touch. I recently had the double cardan rebuilt about 6k ago. I’ll double check the grease but I’[m wondering about the t-case. Is there a bearing at the top end that could be worn out and causing this massive noise ? There is no leakage and the oil level in the t-case is perfect.

 

Have you checked your tranny fluid?

 

I just had to rebuild the front end of the rear driveshaft on my 2002. It is a 2wd auto. Toyota sells the kits. Not too bad a job to do, but does require pushing out the caps and reinstalling. I used a hammer and sockets to get the old ones out, then pressed in the new ones with a vice. I had to take the load off of the driveshaft to feel all the play in that joint.
Good luck.

 

While the potential failure of a wheel bearing lingered in the back of my mind turing the wheel hard or light while driving has no effect on the noise. I greased my u-joints and still have noise. I have manual hubs and am certain the front drive shaft is not turning and nor are the CV's.

A

 

I've checked all the fluid less the front diff. All look, feel, and smell fine. I know the tranny will have to be rebuilt one day as its at 287k now. But this is not a tranny noise thank God and Toyota Engineering.

A friend and I were able to get the rear jacked up this morning and put the truck in gear and listen for the bird squeak. We listened and listened and determined the chirp was coming from the double cardan joint that I had replaced. As you may or may not know there is a spring and a bearing in the center of the knuckle. On my no OE but something like OE (modified cardan that uses servicable u-joints) there is also a zerk fitting or oil needle port on the center bearing/ spring thing. I'll try lubing that up and see what happens.


A

 

I'm good to go, I removed the 4 14mm nuts on the t-case side of the rear driveshaft did the wiggle and got the shaft loose. Jammed the needle greas fitting into the center and injected the gravy. tightened everything back up and it is quiet. I also removed the dampening thing on the t-case because it wobbles and seems like it would make a hell of a noise, on my list for replacements.

A