mikwik

I have a squeak/squeak/squeak coming from where the rear u-joint & differential meet when in reverse or neutral as truck is just rolling (no gas) backwards. Checked u-j in neutral (no load) and didn't find any slop or visible wear, just plenty of rust (original equip.). Could u-j still be worn or is this a differential issue ? 2000 4wd f150 ex-cab short bed 113k

Fordflowmaster

Ya I'm guessing it is the u-j cause that's the same noise mine made as well and it was the u- j

LoveMy98

I just replaced mine cause i was getting the same sound and now its gone. Besides its also the cheaper than looking at the diff.

Free fix = turn the stereo up.

mikwik

I removed driveshaft to further examine u-joint. Expected to find frozen or at least stiff movement. Found just the opposite. Joint swings/flops way too easily with no resistance or hint of being a tight, grease-packed bearing system. There is no rattle or slop on one half but the other has a very,very slight play in it. Maybe I caught it just before it went from no grease to frozen. Will replace. This one is an OE sealed one. Should I be replacing it with one with a grease fitting ? pros/cons ?

Yourmomdrivesaricer

If you're going to replace one u joint, replace both.

Greased can last longer, depending on your maintenance with them and what you do with your truck.

Sealed will require what no maintenance besides replacing?

Sycoholic

Your better u-joints come without zerk fittings. In situations you most likely won't encounter with your truck, they break there. That's like a high horsepower rockcrawler or mud truck kinda situation though. But, the better ones have better seals on them, are beefier, and generally made to tighter specifications. Do you really want to grease that joint all the time? I would replace it with a high quality one from your local auto parts store and it most likely will not have the fitting. Oh, and replace both of them, they've seen the same life and if one's bad, the other ain't too far behind it.

mikwik

Changed both u-joints. Had one rusty "tip" on the rear joint (dried up). Replaced with sealed ones (heck, the OE's lasted 112k !). All is well !
Thank you Forum !