Squeaking when lower than 1800 rpm IN GEAR

[Sean]

So, I've noticed that I hear a nice repetitive sqeaking that occurs when my car is IN GEAR and at very low RPMs in any gear (at least when I can hear it over my exhaust and wind/air noise).

I'm pretty sure it's my CSB because I'm also getting the infamous "thud thud thud" at full throttle in my first gear pull.

I just wanted to get a second opinion. Cause I'm not sure if it's my diff either?

Ultimately, I need to get under my car, but of course, I don't have the resources to do that out here...grrr.

[Tangent]

My CSB did the exact same thing. At first it just squeaked and chattered at low rpm and speed like a horny dolphin. After a while it turned into the familiar thumping sound. The best deal for a new drive shaft I found within driving range was from Mesa Performance in Costa Mesa. Took half a day with the wife and went to the Orange County swap meet and then across the freeway to their shop to pick up the DS.

[Sean]

How much did it run? I can imagine a new driveshaft would be good for my car, cause for all I know, it's original. I was plannin on pulling my driveshaft and seeing if someone with the rough tools could switch out my CSB. But, I don't know if my driveshaft is on its way out - could they test to see?

[Tangent]

Can't remember how much it was, it's been a couple of years... http://mesaperformance.com/fonelist.html for contact info. The easiest test to see if your driveshaft is ready to be replaced is to remove it, and see how the joints move around. Mine was really tight on one joint which led to the CSB failure. If you remove your driveshaft make sure it's marked so you can put the halves back together exactly the way it was!

[Sean]

Ok, finally got under the car and the CSB looks fine. The rubber is very much in tact, and it holds up the driveshaft very well.

Also, the CSB was preloaded (that's when it's pushed forwards right?). I can push on the bearing part of it, and it seems to move a little bit - but if the CSB is bad, it's usually the rubber that goes bad, because it's a sealed bearing - right?

The lock nut was kind of loose though, so I'm going to tighten that up and see if that fixes it.

How far forward should the CSB be pushed?

BTW: thumped is getting much worse. Could it be my driveshaft u-joints are bad, and it's a matter of time before it takes out the CSB with it?

[jlevie]

If you are getting thumping/banging from under car when the drivetrain is subjected to high torque loads (usually first noticeable in the lowest gears), the driveshaft u-joints are binding. And that means a new or reman driveshaft is in your immediate future.

[Sean]

That's what I was afraid of.

Jeez, when shit hits the fan, it flies all over the fucking place. LOL

[Tangent]

The CSB should be pushed forward 4-6mm before being tightened during installation according to the Bentley. With the loud thumping you're pretty much guaranteed that it's a u-joint. Fortunately replacing the driveshaft is alot easier job than it sounds like, it's just kind of tedious.