I have a squeaking or squealing sound that I’ve only noticed at slow speeds when coming from a stop. It only happens when accelerating not rolling and doesn’t happen if the truck isnt in drive. I checked wheel bearings, I got under and inspected both driveshafts by checking for play by shaking.

here is a video with the sound:

 

Sounds like my diff did before it grenaded itself.

 

Oh no, it is similar. I'm going to take the plug out and check if there is fluid in there... guessing there isn't much to be done otherwise?

 

I still have no idea what caused the diff to explode. We had just bought this when it happened. Like maybe a month after purchase? I always baseline cars when they're new to me, and it had fluid already in there, but *was* a little glittery. I replaced the fluid and decided to see how it looked on the next diff fluid change before drawing any conclusions.

It started making this noise while we were on a trip to visit family (about 3 hours from home), and then the next day on the drive back it just was this catastrophic KA-BAM on the freeway. We pulled over right away, I got the toolkit out, removed the front drive shaft real quick, engaged the CDL, and we kept on driving the remaining 2.5 hours home in rear wheel drive just fine.

I ordered a new diff and replaced the blown up diff. It was just sheer carnage in there. Diff nuggets everywhere. No way to figure out what could've caused it.

I would change the fluid for sure, check for glitter, and if you see any maybe consider that a sign to shortlist a diff replacement. They're very simple to change and used diffs are plentiful on eBay.

 

Remove front driveshaft and engage CDL to test (also good time to lube). Put vehicle on jackstands, one end at a time, disengage cdl, let wheels roll. Once you know which end, pull wheels, redo test. You can likely determine from these test. Might need to drop the pumpkin to find source.

 

moving one step closer to power....if not the diff, I think it kinda sounds like it could be a cracked flex plate. Grab a cheap boroscope and look in the inspection ports of the oil pan.

 

I haven't done this before. When you say let the wheels roll do you mean drop it off the stands and drive it to see if the sound happens? And when you say pull the wheels what do you mean? I understand pull the wheels meaning take them off the truck but I'm just trying to imagine how I'm doing the test and where this comes in. Sorry for the basic questions, not a lifelong wrencher but can do most things if I understand the process well.

This will definitely be second on my list to check, haha. I'll unpack this if it's necessary. I saw your thread on Discow*b

 

I thought this too. We have an old Tacoma that sounded similar when its flex plate was cracked.

 

Could you elaborate on this Extinct? Wouldn't I be able to figure it out by removing the drive shaft and disengaging the CDL and driving around to see if it makes the noise?

 

If you remove the driveshaft and disengage the CDL the vehicle will not move. You have to engage the cdl for the truck to move with the driveshaft out. After that, doing the test with the vehicle on jackstands with the cdl disengages will allow the wheels off the ground will allow those wheels to roll. This will allow you to determine which end is making the noise. With the wheels off, you can likely figure out which component is making the noise - hub, brakes, differential, etc.