So sorting out my $900 discovery I'm finding out the truck is in great shape actually. Hasn't overheated once in over 120 miles of on and off road driving but has some quirks. Normally on acceleration above probably 1500 rpms there's a squeaking sound accompanied by a faint knock. Any idea on what could cause this? Additionally the car will randomly shake around 40-50 miles an hour. Not violently, but annoyingly. I find it odd because sometimes it does and doesn't, and seems like it happens more often when I'm turning the wheel. Shakes the whole car pretty bad but goes away at higher speeds. Wondered if the tires needed balancing or something with suspension. Thanks

 

Check your front driveshaft carefully, the squeaking and knocking is most likely it heading out. When they break they like to destroy the passenger cat and transmission. Sort that one and then see how the truck feels

 

When you say address it, are you suggesting getting a whole new one? I see a lot of them for around $100-$150 which isn't as bad as I thought it would be, or just replacing joint to getting it balanced?

 

There are dozens and dozens of threads on this and other forums about the front driveshaft. It has a single U-joint at one end and a double-cardan joint at the other, which includes two U-joints and a centering balll. That is the end or the trouble most often happens. Inspect the U-joints in your truck and see if each of the three U-joints as a grease fitting. If so, grease all three fully, not stopping until new grease is emerging from each of the four bearing caps of each U-joint. While you're at it grease the U-joint in the rear driveshaft too. Even if it has grease fittings and you grease it well it may be too late. It may be shot already

If the three U-joints in the front driveshaft do not have grease fittings replace it. Immediately. When I addressed the driveshaft in my truck many years ago I bough the U-joints and centering ball and took them to a local driveline shop and had them do the work. All-in it cost me about $150. The cost of good, replacement friveshafts has come way, way down since then. A vendor on this forum called Lucky 8 sells a high-quality replacement front driveshaft for $208. At that price I would simply buy and install a new driveshaft instead of messing around with replacing the U-joints in an old one given the time and hassle involved. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

If you can't grease it, remove it and engage your cdl. See if the vibe goes away. If it does, you've done half the work of replacing the driveshaft. If it doesn't, rotate tires front to back. The tire(s) could be bad even if in balance. If not that, then check hubs & steering.

 

His 02 may not have a CDL to engage.

Yes I would replace it and then if you want rebuild the old one for a shelf spare