Noise From Rear Of Truck.

[Dustin503]

The other day while turning into a parking lot I heard a fairly loud clunking noise which sounded much like a can rolling around in the bed of my truck. I got out and found that there was nothing in the bed. This noise is prevalent only at low speed situations when turning, mainly into an incline or in parking lot type of maneuver.I started searching the forums and came up with a few ideas. First I made sure every bolt and nut on the underside were torqued to specs - they all were. Next I took the spare tire down and drove around without it - noise still there. Next idea was that something is wrong with the rear-end but with only 3200 miles and only doing it on certain conditions I wouldn't think that would be it. After a lot of research on the forums the last thing i could come up with is that the leaf springs are making this noise. Any other thoughts or suggestions, i really don't want to just live with this awful noise on a brand new truck. I saw about the lubing of the leaf springs but that would be very temporary. Do you think that the dealer would replace the leaf packs or would new ones do it as well. Seems to me a step back in quality when my 93 with over 170000 miles and my 01 with over 150000 miles never had any noises like this... Thanks for any suggestions or advice.

 

PS Truck is a 2011 Silverado ext cab with only 3200 miles.

[greentourismo]

you dont lube leaf springs...why not instead of trying to diagnose it yourself go drop it off at the dealer and have it fixed under warranty?

[Dustin503]

you dont lube leaf springs...why not instead of trying to diagnose it yourself go drop it off at the dealer and have it fixed under warranty?

 

Thanks for trying to help???? But yes you can lube the leaf springs, by putting grease between them.... take a look at this.

 

Cause

This condition may be due to debris getting between the leaf springs.

 

Correction

To correct this condition, lubricate the rear leaf springs using the following procedure.

 

Important: It has been found that the application of grease to the rear leaf springs does a better job of preventing the noise from reoccurring than replacement of the spring.

 

Raise the vehicle on a frame lift-type hoist.

Inspect the springs for damage. If none is found, proceed to the next step.

Pressure wash the rear leaf springs to remove as much dirt and grit as possible.

Dry the springs with compressed air.

 

Apply a liberal amount of grease, P/N 12345996 (in Canada, use P/N 10953501), under the front and rear tip inserts for the #2 and #3 leaves, on top of the tip inserts, and in between the #1 and #2, and #2 and #3 leaves, as indicated below. A screwdriver can be used to gently pry up the tip insert; however, a rag around the screwdriver must be used to prevent damage to the spring. Use a flat-bladed tool, such as a gasket scraper to properly distribute the grease.

Lower the vehicle to the ground and test drive to verify the repair.

Please inform the customer that this will offer relief, it is by no means a lifetime repair. Periodic cleanings and grease re-application may be necessary throughout the life of the vehicle.

 

For 1500 Series (½ ton) models only: On vehicles built prior to October 2004, if the above procedure does not correct this noise, it could be caused by an incorrectly dimensioned splay clip (the band holding the ends of the leafs together) that interferes with the leaf springs. A 5 mm (0.197 in) wider splay clip was introduced in early 2005 model year to provide additional clearance. To correct this concern, replace the rear leaf spring assembly. There was no change to the part number.

 

OR

 

Document ID# 1999324

 

 

 

 

If you were trying to make me look stupid, it didn't work. As for taking it to the dealership I would like to know others thoughts before doing that as i'm sure most people are more competent than the jacks at the dealer who would tell me "this is normal."

[EcWrestlr]

My 2011 Extended cab is doing the same thing. I kept thinking it was my nerf bars, but I am thinking its also the leaf springs. I am going to drop my off at the dealer and let them fix it since its still under warranty. I have around 10,000 miles on mine and just noticed this happening. It clunks and squeaks alot when in the same situations you described.

[jro909]

why do people always try to be driveway mechanics when they have a stinking warranty

[agrats84]

I've had the clunking noise now for a few weeks and research and people have told me it is the slip yoke. I'm taking it in Thursday to have them grease it up.

 

Slip Yoke Notice

[Dustin503]

why do people always try to be driveway mechanics when they have a stinking warranty

 

 

I've never had a vehicle with a warranty before and thus have become accustomed to doing most all of my own repair work. I just really hate the idea of someone taking my truck apart for fear that something else will become messed up. But i guess i really should take advantage of the warranty and have it looked at. It's just such sporadic issue that i have a feeling the dealer would tell me "it's normal" or that they couldn't hear anything. I guess i should just take it in though and see how it goes.

 

The other problem i have with taking it in is i don't really know if this problem can be fixed, if they put grease between the springs, it will wash off. If they put in new springs, i would think they would do the same thing fairly quickly....

[RyanbabZ71]

Thanks for trying to help???? But yes you can lube the leaf springs, by putting grease between them.... take a look at this.

 

Yea that doesnt work. Let me look for my topic I started about a year ago. I had my leaf springs replaced under warranty

 

Another thought do you have your hitch ball in? That could be banging around (I know mine does)

[RyanbabZ71]

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...;hl=eaf+springs

[Dustin503]

Thanks for trying to help???? But yes you can lube the leaf springs, by putting grease between them.... take a look at this.

 

Yea that doesnt work. Let me look for my topic I started about a year ago. I had my leaf springs replaced under warranty

 

Another thought do you have your hitch ball in? That could be banging around (I know mine does)

 

 

 

I don't have a hitch in. Thanks for the link, is yours still doing ok with new springs? I just can't see how the new springs would be different when the truck is brand new anyway. Maybe i'll try to push the dealer to just replace the springs.

[RyanbabZ71]

I didnt have many miles on my truck either when this started. So far I have had them in for a year and no more noises.

[maccini]

Did you put the step rails in yourself? I had the same noise coming from the front and found the bracket to the step rail rubbing against the frame. I loosened up the rail and readjusted the brackets and the noise went away.

[RyanbabZ71]

Did you put the step rails in yourself? I had the same noise coming from the front and found the bracket to the step rail rubbing against the frame. I loosened up the rail and readjusted the brackets and the noise went away.

 

Was this directed at me? Yes I did install the gm step rails and I checked this prior to taking it to the dealer. Like I said replacing the leaf springs did the trick. You could step on the nerf bars or on the trailer hitch and bounce the truck up and down and hear the spring making noise (had my wife do this while I listened)

[EcWrestlr]

Little follow up here......I had my truck taken into the dealer this past Friday and they concluded the clunking was the steering bump stops and replaced them. The squeaking was my nerf bars which I can't get to stop squeaking. So they'll probably be coming off soon here.

[brainpause]

Little follow up here......I had my truck taken into the dealer this past Friday and they concluded the clunking was the steering bump stops and replaced them. The squeaking was my nerf bars which I can't get to stop squeaking. So they'll probably be coming off soon here.

 

Couldn't you put some nylon washers or something to help with the squeaking?

 

Larry