Cant find the creaking noise...

[taki1]

I am starting to get aggravated with my 2002 z-71 regular cab...

 

All of a sudden (and I mean, one day its not there, next day its there), I have a creaking noise that sounds like its coming from all around me - the creaking noise occurs when i apply the brakes...sometimes i hear it in front of me, sometimes it sounds like the noise is just outside the doors, sometimes it sounds like its behind me...

 

I recently rotated my tires, and added Husky mudflaps...I double checked all the lug nuts and the plastic covers on the wheels, they are ok....this weekend I am going to remove the mudflaps to see if thats whats causing the noise...but I havent seen any wear marks near the mudflaps...

 

I thought it was the weatherstripping rubbing, until I drove a little with the doors cracked open...noise was still there...

 

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated...

[RyanbabZ71]

I wish i could help i have a similar noise.  Happened tuesday and yesterday.  Sounds like the front end is falling apart.  

 

Someone mentioned a few days ago about a nut being loose on the A Arm i believe.  I am going out in a few to give mine a look over.  Id rather be safe than sorry

[RyanbabZ71]

here is the post from a few days ago

 

AZ Z71

Forum Newbie

 

 

 

Group: Members

Posts: 3

Joined: Sep. 2002  Posted: Nov. 04 2002,8:38    

 

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I've seen a couple of post here and matter of fact I may have even left one myself here or some where else.  Front end banging when coming to a stop like parking in your driveway, or going over a slight bump, the noise coming from the right or left near the front tires, a feeling like the caliper is loose, a popping noise, ....

 

Well I think I have found it.  Your truck needs an alignment.

 

Mine was doing the same kind of things as described above.  This weekend I notice the tire wearing a little funny and found that the bolt through the top A-arm was finger tight.  About a year ago the one on the drivers side did the same thing once when I was out four wheeling and I could hear something jingle and found the loose nut.  Both times now I took the truck in to get re-aligned and the problems went away.  The first time I didn't really notice all the above symptoms since it must have happened on trail and I took it in the next day.  This past time I didn't hear the jingling so I didn't think it was the same thing and drove the truck for a while until I happened upon the loose nut.

 

In my opion I think there should be a lock washer on there to prevent the nut from coming loose that easy.  I asked them to lock tite it but I don't think that they did.  I'm considering using another nut to snug up against there so I don't have to take apart and get another alignment.  

[taki1]

It figures that I would need an alignment - I have had my truck in the shop 3 different times for an alignment (within first 7500 miles) - and now Ill have to pay for one...and I am still not satisfied with how the truck drives...And I have the intermediate steering shaft problem as well...

 

Maybe since I rotated my tires it screwed up the alignment...

[AZ Z71]

My steering shaft also creeks too.  I saw a fix for it on here that you can do yourself.

 

The other poping/creaking noise that I heard has since gone away after the re-alignment.  Mostly poping when coming to a stop in the driveway, going over a small bump getting into the driveway and occasionally when driving.  I have never heard anything like that before when a vehicle needed an alignment.  Funny thing is it usually doesn't last very long before they loosen up again.

[RyanbabZ71]

i checked all the bolts and all are fine

 

I did notice it only makes the noise on right hand turns