[Unknown User]

There is a creaking noise in the rear drivetrain when the car moves at very slow speed. At first I thought this was my rear struts, but I suspect its the U-joint. How can I check for damaged U-joints?

Eric's 73 project 240
www.geocities.com/~esanmiguel/projz

 

[Unknown User]

> There is a creaking noise in the
> rear drivetrain when the car moves at very
> slow speed. At first I thought this was my
> rear struts, but I suspect its the U-joint.
> How can I check for damaged U-joints?

> Eric's 73 project 240
> www.geocities.com/~esanmiguel/projz

get in there with a pry bar and try to force the u-joints to move. if there is play the joints are bad. you can also pull the driveline down and feel the joints. if they're rough they need replacing.

 

[elliott]

> get in there with a pry bar and try to force
> the u-joints to move. if there is play the
> joints are bad. you can also pull the
> driveline down and feel the joints. if
> they're rough they need replacing.

Never heard of a U=joint that squeaks. Usually they roar or vibrate. I have a 75 2+2 and for a long time I would hear that squeaking sound at slow rolling speeds. I thought it was something in a wheel rubbing but never could find aything. About a mnth ago, I checked my tires and found a spot wearing on it. Well, I needed tires anyway and decided to get some before I do anything about the sound. After the tires, the sound stopped. I Think it was a bad tire where the bands were rubbing together making a squeaking niose. Try locating where you think the noise is coming, then switch a good tire to that spot. Worth a try.

 

[Unknown User]

I had a similar experience. For the first month I had my 95 Subaru Legacy Outback I heard a squeaking noise from the passenger rear wheel only on cold mornings until the car warmed up. The dealer couldn't find anything. Then I went running errands & driving around a lot at high speeds and when I got home, noticed the tire was low & checked the pressure - 10 psi after being 30 psi in the morning.

turned out that the rim was defective - it had a pinhole or a slightly bent lip where it met the tire - can't remember anymore. Anyway, they replaced it & I've never had the problem since.

Check your wheel, and monitor your tire pressure over driving time - a squeaking noise may well be your tire losing air.

Darryl
81 280zx m

 

[Unknown User]

How can low tire pressure/rim defect cause a creaking noise?

 

[Unknown User]

> How can low tire pressure/rim defect cause a
> creaking noise?

It's not low tire pressure causing the squeak. It is when the wheel is losing air that the squeak is heard. In fact, when the pressure in the tire got low, I didn't hear the squeak.

Darryl

 

[Chris]

> There is a creaking noise in the
> rear drivetrain when the car moves at very
> slow speed. At first I thought this was my
> rear struts, but I suspect its the U-joint.
> How can I check for damaged U-joints?

> Eric's 73 project 240
> www.geocities.com/~esanmiguel/projz
I have that problem now, i thought it was the brake drum rubbing on the dust cover or whatever that is it goes up against
my motto is Until the noise changes dont jack with it
good luck