Before dropping your spare tire. Try to spin it going up and test if it solve the problem. Also try shaking the tail gate. It could also make that Squeaking sound.

 

Thanks. I'll check my spare too. Maybe I put the wrong kind of air in, lol.

 

So I finally decided to tackle this today and once I got the old u-joints out I realized the auto parts store gave me the wrong ones.

What sizes do I need or part numbers? One seems to be bigger than the other and the guy at the parts place told me they're both the same size.

I have a 98 4.6L XLT 4x4

 

I just did both rear drive shaft u joints yesterday and there were two different sizes for mine also, so I took them off and took them with me to the parts store. Yes the u joint do squeak as well as clunk, right after replacing mine all noises were gone and she's smooth and quiet again.

 

That's exactly what I did after work today. Just took them in for the correct parts. Turns out the guy gave me the u-joint meant for the front driveshaft.

Hopefully mine will be quiet too!

 

Well the new u-joints are in!

And guess what? No more squeaking!

Thanks to everyone for your help and if anyone needs any advice on u-joints feel free to ask me.

Thanks to w0lvez for the input! I did check those things and the spare tire was a little loose. Wasn't the squeak, but needed tightened none the less.

Only advice I have for the installation is to make sure your needle bearings stay in place. They aren't difficult to put back together, but if they aren't in place you won't get the cap on completely.

 

Good work, Maxwell. I had a local backyard mechanic change mine a couple of days ago. He said the yoke was also loose, and needed about 3 turns to snug back. No more squeaking or truck shaking at highway speeds.