If anyone has a clunk from leaf springs when moving laterally... I hav

[robertdegoey]

Just wanted to throw this out there... I had a bad clunking from my leaf springs when ever they would flex laterally. Like something rolling around in the bed. For instance, when turning into a raised driveway, etc. But not from a straight bump. The clunk was not from the overload spring, it was from the 1 and 2 spring. I could feel them moving against each other when the rear was articulated from side to side.

 

I took it to the dealer under warranty, and they refused to replace the packs.

 

They greased them, per a TSB, and it did absolutely nothing. They also checked the torque on everything, as I did as well.

 

So what I did was get a universal mountain bike innertube. The 1.95 inch wide one.

 

Cut (4) 6" inch sections and (4) 2" inch sections.

 

Raise the rear slightly to take the pressure off the packs.

 

Tap a large screwdriver with a mallet or something in between the 1 and 2 springs to seperate them. They only need to be seperated enough to slip the sections of innertube in between them.

 

Insert one 6" inch section at the forward end of the spring, inbetween the 1 and 2 springs flush with the spring tips. Now look at the clamp in the front of the spring, use a smaller screwdriver and make space between the plastic insulator pad on the clamp. Insert the 2 inch section of tube on top of the plastic insulator, and one on bottom of the plastic insulator.

 

Remove your screwdriver. Re insert the screwdriver inbetween the 1 and 2 spring, but now about 8 inches from the rear of the spring. Insert your 6 inch section inbetween the 1 and 2 spring at the rear, same as the front.

 

Do same for other side. So now you have rubber insulation at the front of the spring, the rear of the spring, and inbetween the plastic pad at the front clamp.The pressure of the springs will hold the rubber in place, Mine have been in for a month now, and havent moved.

 

Nothing else worked for me, but this made the rear end quiet, with no noise at all. I can move the rear laterally and all I hear now is the gas moving around. No more clunking

 

So, if you have a clunk from your springs when the rear moves side to side, try this. It takes about 10 minutes and 3 dollars.

[flhusa1]

you realize that if someone from gm reads this it will be gm's official fix for the problem!

[RyanbabZ71]

I did the same thing (bought some leaf spring insulators) and it did not fix my issue. Still have an occasional snap noise from the rear leafs. Here are mine, see photo.

[robertdegoey]

I did the same thing (bought some leaf spring insulators) and it did not fix my issue. Still have an occasional snap noise from the rear leafs. Here are mine, see photo.

 

 

If my noise was coming from the helper spring, that would probably work. But mine was coming from the top 2 springs. the inner tube gets sandwiched inbetween them. This was a whole different noise than spring slap. It was the top spring flexing side to side. As it rubbed against the middle spring, it would make a clunking, popping noise.

 

you realize that if someone from gm reads this it will be gm's official fix for the problem!

 

 

Probably.. I think the issue is the plastic pads are garbage and the clamp allows too much side to side flex. Who knows, but it worked, and thats all that I care about.

[RyanbabZ71]

Do you have any photos?

[robertdegoey]

Do you have any photos?

 

 

Here's a little visualization.... I can still take pics if it isn't clear after this...

 

The 6 inch piece goes in between the top and middle spring where I indicated, (just do the same in the front of the spring) and the smaller pieces go on top of the plastic pad and on bottom of the plastic pad on the clamp (I just did the front clamp, not the rear like the pic, it is just for reference)

[5829BMG]

I have been chasing a noise like this and it driving me nuts. Dealers around are here mostly useless and unhelpful. Great write up thanks for the info

[RyanbabZ71]

I understand where and how you got them in there just curious as to what it looks like with the bike tube installed.

[Debo511]

you realize that if someone from gm reads this it will be gm's official fix for the problem!

 

 

Not likely.

[robertdegoey]

I understand where and how you got them in there just curious as to what it looks like with the bike tube installed.

 

 

There is nothing visable. The tube is slightly smaller width wise so as long as you center the tube on the spring, nothing shows.

[RyanbabZ71]

I understand where and how you got them in there just curious as to what it looks like with the bike tube installed.

 

 

There is nothing visable. The tube is slightly smaller width wise so as long as you center the tube on the spring, nothing shows.

 

 

Ok just wanted to see if anything was hanging out. If mine comes back I will have to try this. For the past week I havent had a noise. Wierd how it comes and goes

[mossbum]

ive been experience the same thing in my '11 and it just comes and goes as it wants. my '10 never did it. odd.

[latreille89]

Finally got around to doing this to my 2012. No test drive yet but we will see how it goes!

[latreille89]

Update - It works! Try it!

[6Sixathome]

I know this is a super old thread but I'm going through the exact same issue, trying it tomorrow.