Strange metallic squawking from rear...

[jtm703]

Under hard accel from a dead stop, the rear end is making a godawful noise. Anyone else experienced this?

At first I thought it was just tire squeal, but it's too high-pitched and sounds metallic in nature. And I can feel a shudder at the same time. This noise is new...and I know my Jeep's squeaks and rattles very well.

Could this be a sign that a u-joint or axle is about to give way?

I did blow a tire on the trail this weekend (while climbing out of a steep hole) and it caused the xfer case to pop out of gear and all sorts of other drama. She ran fine, though, after getting the spare on and I was able to wheel out of the woods and go home with no issues.

She's lifted 4" with springs and has an xfer case drop kit, but all the running gear is stock and on 32" tires. Open Dana 35 out back.

 

[jps4jeep]

I'd start with the control arms, make sure there isn't any excessive play, then I'd look at the u-joint

 

[Saddle Tramp]

U-joints will squeal under hard acceleration when they start to go bad; that’s where I would start. Try twisting the drive line back and forth, there shouldn’t be much if any play. The hard action you describe when the tire blew could have crushed/damage the needle bearings inside the U-joint caps. We’ll hope that all it is as it’s an easy fix.

 

[jtm703]

Thanks for the tips, guys. I, too, am hoping it's anything but an axle problem.

 

[54cj3b]

check brake drums you may find a surprize spring may have popped shoes need replace ect will make a metallic sound rock stuck under shoe
go small than look big
its always the little things we all overlook
I busted a 45 cent spring holding shoes on I spent many hours and lots of money correcting a stupid spring that was overlooked it destroyed the drum / shoe and over heated the wheel cylinder all because never thought checking the drum when I had a metal sound screach from the rear

 

[jtm703]

Thanks for all the suggestions, guys. I still can't find where it's coming from. There is no play at all in the rear shaft...the u-joint is solid. I even took it apart, and the only thing wrong is that it needs to be regreased (maybe that's it?). There was a little play in the control arms, but didn't seem abnormal (bushings). So, I'll take it to a brake shop next and see if there's a problem in the rear drums as mentioned above.

 

[Crazy4diesels]

Check the lug nuts and the fit of your spare wheel to the hub. Loose lug nuts can make squawking sounds, squeeking sounds, clunking sounds... They usually stop making noise at some point :bomb: - and then really bad things happen... -John

 

[bikepharmer]

I check your rear differential fluid level. I am by far from a gear expert, but some of that sounds like clutch packs could be going. I would also add to the U-joint hypothesis. It could be something frozen up in one. Cheap to replace...