January 1989

---

Dear Tom and Ray:

I have an '83 Ford F-150 4 Wheel Drive Pick-up. The rear "chirps" when the Clutch engages. The sound seems to be coming from around the rear universal joint. Also, the truck shakes at 40-50 MPH, then settles down. What's wrong?
Tom

RAY: Does the chirp sound more like a yellow bellied thrush or a double breasted zoot? If it sounds like a thrush, your universal joint is no longer jointing universally--that is it's seized and won't flex in one direction. This would cause both the noise and the vibration.
Get it fixed before the drive shaft falls out on the road and gives you a steel enema.

TOM: If it sounds like a double breasted zoot, call your tailor. Those went out of style years ago.

Back to the January 1989 index

Share this column with a friend.

© 2006 by Tom and Ray Magliozzi and Doug Berman. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, Inc.

---

---

Auto repairs can be costly! Save money by ordering Tom and Ray's pamphlet: "Ten Ways You May Be Ruining Your Car Without Even Knowing It!" To order, send (check or money order) to Ruin, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. You can also order online.