Bad U-joint or Carrier Bearing? (Video)

Hi everyone,
I've read that bad u-joints will make a 'clunk' noise and that bad carrier bearings will make a chirping noise. But the more I read the more confusing it gets as I've also read that bad u-joints will cause a chirping noise (TN thread).

Here is the chirping noise my truck makes:
http://youtu.be/gVc6eQjwZXg

A video I just took (tried my best) of the carrier bearing/ drive shaft. (FYI, the oil on the carrier bearing is WD40)
http://youtu.be/BdzDaC9U1VQ

It'll chirp in drive but not in neutral.
The chirping is most noticeable at low speeds (likely because the road noise, etc drown it our at higher speeds)

So, does it sound like a bad u-joint or bad carrier bearing? I've never changed either one and my truck now has 120K+ miles

UPDATE:
So I took my truck to my mechanic and had him change out all three U-joints for greasable u-joints as well as changed out the center support bearing for a Timken replacement. I no longer have the noise.
But because they were changed at the same time, I have no definite way of knowing which part was causing the noise. I suspect it was the u-joints though. The mechanic said they were pretty dry already.

 

The video embed didn't work on my computer but u-joints are fairly easy to check. Just physically try to move them, there should not be any play in the u-joints. If there is, then you should replace them. Basically, hold the drive shaft on either side of the u-joint and see if you can twist them in different directions back and forth. If you feel them moving, they're bad.

I'll confuse you even more with the carrier bearing. Usually when bearings go bad, they start making noise. The Toyota carrier bearing is set in some rubber so that could explain why you get a noise sometimes and not others. That rubber allows for a lot of flex (too much in my opinion) so when you put the drive line under power, it could be pressing agains the bearing a little differently than when not under power or coasting. Try to push the drive line up and down inside the carrier bearing and see how much vertical 'play' the rubber is allowing the bearing to have. I was getting vibrations so I flipped my carrier bearing 180 degrees and filled around the bearing with RTV silicone to help keep the bearing more solidly mounted. It seemed to help but I know my carrier bearing will need replacing sometime fairly soon.

 

I'm trying to upload the video onto Vimeo but it appears my previous account was closed?

I read about those suggestions and I did go under my truck and tried 'twisting' the drive shaft pieces in opposite direction and it wouldn't budge at all. I also moved the drive shaft where it goes through the carrier bearing up and down and I didn't think it moved a whole lot - not compared to some of the videos i've seen where the drive shaft moves freely up and down.

 

That new link works but the video is not compatible with my work computer (requires flash). I'll have to take a look when I get home if someone doesn't help you out before then.

 

Probably your u joints. Talked to a few mechanics around town and the toyota service department when i had the same problem. All said they have never seen a carrier bearing go out. Finally took it to a shop for inspection it was indeed the u joints. Go ahead and do all of your u joints.

 

Do you have grease fittings on the u-joints? If so make sure they are greased. Mine was doing the same thing and I was sure it was the carrier bearing. While I was under there inspecting the bearing I decided to go ahead and grease the joints, the noise completely went away. Just something to check before you go and have them changed out.

Hope this helps.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. My prerunner Sport did not come with greasable u-joints.

Was your truck making the same chirping noise? Do you think it's my u-joints then?

 

In the second video, it looks like maybe red rust color around the u-joints. Is that what it looks like in person? Like red powder is coming out of the u-joints caps? Bone dry and rusted?

I can't ID the source of the sound in the first video but it sounds pretty crazy! I think the background music had something to do with it, but I thought you were in a wild jungle for a bit there.

 

I just had all this happen as well. At first my truck was chirping like your vid, then that stopped but my driveshaft started to shudder on take off, then that stopped and i had vides from 0 to 30 and 50 to 75. So last night i replaced all the u joints and now it drives like a brand new truck. Either way i would start with the u joints since they are only bout 45 bucks for all three and the carrier is bout 200 IIRC. Besides depending on how many miles you have on the truck it cant hurt to replace the u joints anyway. Hope this helps

 

More than likely it's your u-joints, the PreRunner's are sealed and don't last very long.

 

My 2012 Prerunner has grease fittings on all the U Joints. Just so ya know.

 

Ok guys. I'm going to order some

$26 Spicer 5-213X U-Joint Kit 1330 Series (OSR)

Spicer 5-213X greasable u-joints.

About $54 shipped for all 3.

Would it be best if I just go ahead and replace the carrier bearing now since the drive shaft is going to come down anyway? Money is tight but if I can expect it to go out soon, then I might as well replace it now. I'm at 120k miles.

I was able to notice that one of the rings/seals on the front u-joint is broken. It's still on there but has a crack clear through it. Possibly that allowed the grease from that joint to release? Anyway, i'll be switching all three.

What is a good brand & type of grease? Never had greasable zerks before so I'll have to buy a grease gun and the grease.

 

That's like asking about tires.

In http://www2.dana.com/pdf/J3299-2-DSSP.pdf, Spicer says:

Many guys seem to prefer a synthetic such as Mobil 1 which is what I'll probably use.

ETA: Just found this while I was reading about u-joint grease for fun.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/te...asing-drive-shaft-u-joints-short-writeup.html

 

With money being tight you could hold out on the bearing and see how the new u-joints work. I believe that this will take care of your problem but I truly have no way of knowing that for sure. For Toyota to put a u-joint on there that cannot be greased is just plain dumb, but good for you for replacing them with ones that can be.

Hope this takes care of your problem and don't forget to grease them after you put them in.

 

Carrier bearing's do go out. Mine did. There was actually a TSB out for earlier models (Mine's an '05) regarding carrier bearing problems. Mine never caused a squeek but caused the drive shaft to shake like a mother and vibrate pretty harshly when under load. If you have to replace the carrier bearing then it's highly recomended that you replace the drive shaft as well with a new properly balanced one. Costs a fortune to have a mechanic do that.

 

hey op, my truck has the same exact chirp, I was wondering when you were going to install your new u joints and if you could please update us? thanks

I also have a vibration from 20-35 mph

 

is there any other popular brand that you guys recommend?

Rocco, did you have to balance your driveshaft afterward?

 

I received the u-joints in the mail yesterday and I just went ahead and ordered a replacement Center Support Bearing (Timken). I'll be taking it to my mechanic tomorrow and have him do it.

Funny thing is that the chirping noise is gone. Though I think it's probably due to the WD40 my mechanic put on the parts when he checked them out.

 

These are not expensive and are highly recommended by many online. I didn't look for any other brand. sorry

From what I've read online, you don't need to re-balance the driveshaft after changing u-joints. I'm not planning on doing it either. If I get vibes, then i'll definitely have it done.

 

cool, yea I went ahead and ordered those same ones, they should be coming in on saturday