Making this creaking noise while accelerating?

RAFIDFLOW

MEMBER
1996 FORD RANGER
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
150,000 MILES

My truck (1996 ford ranger) is making this creaking noise while accelerating. Being it is a manual, I try and lightly rev or really rev the engine while not in gear and no noise. When already in motion, and not in gear, no noise. I tried leaning out of my window to see where its coming from, its the loudest when the back window is open, sounds like its coming from under the bed of the truck. Any ideas U joints? Thanks guys!

Saturday, November 15th, 2014 AT 8:06 AM

1 Reply

SQM

MECHANIC
6,383 POSTS

Hello,

It does sounds like the U joint making that noise.
As you can hear it when the shaft is under load and the noise goes away when in neutral.
To check the U joint remove the driveshaft and move the U joint in all direction look for hard spots or too much play.
You will also see a rust colored powder if the U joint has failed and needs replacement.
This is due to metal on metal contact without any lubrication. That also creates noise.

Here are couple of helpful articles:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-u-joints-work

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-remove-a-drive-shaft

Please let me know of any questions.
Thank you.

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