Dana 28 Squeaking/Screeching/Grinding/Binding

[88fordRanger]

I posted something on this a few weeks ago and have pretty much checked that everything on the outside is good... Everything that you can check without major disassembly was done...

I had my dad listen to it and he said he's never heard anything like it, and it sounds like its falling apart or something. My dad has been a mechanic for over 30 years by the way... He said he has no idea, but it could be a bearing is messed up somewhere is his best guess.

The sound goes all through the front end, but is more loud on the driver's side. It only happens after it warms up for a little bit under 30 seconds, and then it starts binding and kinda holding the truck back, like when I let off the gas and push in the clutch, it just quickly stops the truck, it doesn't coast like it should.

It only does this in 4wd and is perfectly fine in 2wd.

Here's a video. It's not that good of quality, but the squeaking starts at about 20 seconds. And it's way louder in person than on the video.
http://youtu.be/fXDbxl-hnEc

I'm at a loss and might just have to get a whole new front end, which would be good, because I'd get a Dana 35, but I don't really have the money to blow on that if it's cheaper to fix what I got.

So... Has anyone ever had this happen to them? Any idea what it could be?

 

[t0x1k]

Id get it up in the air and check the u joints. Could also be spindle bearings.
Only way to really know is tear it apart and start replacing bearings and joints.

 

[disciplerocks]

Sounds like its time for an upgrade....

 

[trail B2]

When mine squeaked it was a u-joint check the outer joint on the drivers side.Also if you take it apart check to make sure the u-joint holes in the axle are not elongated.

 

[dangerranger83]

I would be better to put money into a D35 then your D28.

 

[88fordRanger]

I'm almost certain it's not a U-joint... It's not that kind of sound at all, and the front end is binding up... A u-joint wouldn't hold the truck back like that. It's almost like the carrier is crooked or something and the ring gear is getting crammed up against the pinion or something, but I have no idea... It just happened out of nowhere.

I would be better to put money into a D35 then your D28.

That's what I was thinking... But my work is scheduling me less than 10 hours a week, and I can barely afford gas.

I guess I'll just go without 4x4 until I can get $$ for a D35

 

[dangerranger83]

Could be a bearing in the diff. What is the condition of the oil in it and how low is it?

 

[88fordRanger]

Could be a bearing in the diff. What is the condition of the oil in it and how low is it?

I don't know the level in it now, but I recently replaced the fluid in it within the past 3k miles. I used fluid that's supposed to be really good too... But is there any way that the new fluid could have messed up the diff? I'm pretty sure that it was the correct fluid though.

I don't remember what kind it was, but they have a guarantee that they'll replace your differential if it messes up. But I don't think they cover TTB diffs, because it's not a "conventional" axle or something... Either way, it seemed like a good brand to go with.

 

[legoms013]

No, type of oil won't have any detrimental effect on the differential.

A bearing is out somewhere.

What did the old oil look like when you replaced it with the new stuff? Was it a brown, milky, swirley looking mess? Or was it clearish like it supposed to be?

If the old oil looked like I described, then I'm guessing the pinion bearing or side bearings on the carrier are grenaded/failed and are causing siezment.

Start with the u-joints though, since though are visable. Jack the truck up on all fours, and put it in 4wd, with someone on the brake in the cab, take a flash light and look underneath for the suspect.

Also, check the wheel-bearings on the spindle out at the wheel. If one or both have failed on either side, the brake rotor will move in and contact the caliper mount/bolts causing horrendous grinding noises like you describe and like are depicted in the video.

 

[4x4junkie]

You running that in 2wd/hubs locked? Does the noise get louder when the wheel is turned? (and starts yanking at your steering wheel)?

If so, definitely a u-joint.

I would say it's time to start taking things apart if you can't see anything otherwise. Whatever it is should become obvious then (dry bearing, frozen u-joint, etc.).

 

[88fordRanger]

No, type of oil won't have any detrimental effect on the differential.

A bearing is out somewhere.

What did the old oil look like when you replaced it with the new stuff? Was it a brown, milky, swirley looking mess? Or was it clearish like it supposed to be?

If the old oil looked like I described, then I'm guessing the pinion bearing or side bearings on the carrier are grenaded/failed and are causing siezment.

Start with the u-joints though, since though are visable. Jack the truck up on all fours, and put it in 4wd, with someone on the brake in the cab, take a flash light and look underneath for the suspect.

Also, check the wheel-bearings on the spindle out at the wheel. If one or both have failed on either side, the brake rotor will move in and contact the caliper mount/bolts causing horrendous grinding noises like you describe and like are depicted in the video.

I don't remember exactly what it looked like, but it think it was a dark color... It was only the second time changing it in the truck's life i think lol.

I didn't check the U-joints like that, I jacked up the front and turned the wheel back and forth (like rotating it) and looked at the outer U-joint and they didnt have any play in them, although that doesn't mean it's not bad.

I checked the wheel bearings and they're good.

You running that in 2wd/hubs locked? Does the noise get louder when the wheel is turned? (and starts yanking at your steering wheel)?

If so, definitely a u-joint.

I would say it's time to start taking things apart if you can't see anything otherwise. Whatever it is should become obvious then (dry bearing, frozen u-joint, etc.).

No, That's in 4x4 with auto hubs. It does get slightly louder when I turn, but doesn't really yank at my wheel. It just holds the truck back as if i were driving with my foot on the brakes.

 

[4x4junkie]

The other possibility is your spindle needle bearings are shot.

Either way, it really sounds like disassembly & inspection is in order here.

 

[dangerranger83]

I will say that if there is something wrong with the d28 (which sounds like there is) I wouldnt throw money at it but instead get a D35 front and put money into it (such as new bearings, etc..) and have a front that is worth having.