Rear leaf spring packing squeeking. Any suggestions?

[LongrangeLauber]

2002 Silverado 1500 4x4 leaf springs creaking in the rear, tryed the sprayable white lithium grease, didnt do squat... I'm think its the pads in between the leaf springs, any suggestions on where to get them? cant find online, at least not to my extent of research. figured i would take care of it since the truck is on stands for a tranny swap and redoing my front suspension bushings and balljoints... Should I call the dealership and see if they sell them individually? Or, does anyone have a website i can go to to order them? thanks

[scooby5121]

1999-2007 GMC Sierra (Classic)

From a 2007 post (gm Tec)

Scooby

 

 

 

 

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Condition

Some customers may comment about a squeak noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. During normal operation, certain vehicles may exhibit a squeaking noise that may be traced to the rear leaf springs. While this noise is an operating characteristic of leaf springs, the frequency and severity of this noise will be affected by the roads that the vehicle is driven on.

 

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, GM 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.

[LongrangeLauber]

do i really need to buy the "special" grease from a dealership, or will general purpose grease or wheel bearing grease work just as well? thanks...

[ChevyTech77]

Just replace the pads. Spraying the springs with lube is a temporary fix. I've only ever seen the pads offered by GM, fwiw.

[LongrangeLauber]

do you know how much the pads cost?

[ChevyTech77]

Not sure. Can't be much over $5 each, I would assume, but it's been so long sense I replaced some, I can't be 100% sure.

 

Do you have 3 or 5 leaf packs? I remember that the 3 leaf packs only every had two on the middle leaf ends and one on each end of the load leafs. The load leafs shouldn't be touching unless you're loaded, either.

[LongrangeLauber]

it is a 3 leaf packing, there are 2 pads (between top leaf and middle leaf, and then middle leaf to bottom leaf)... should i replace the pads on each end that hold the top 2 leafs together as well?

[ChevyTech77]

There should just be the pads between the middle leaf and top leaf that are centered by the spring clamps. Those are the ones that should be the main factors. To figure out which ones are making the noise, squirt each one with a spray white lithium grease and have some body bounce the truck.

[LongrangeLauber]

so just replace the pads on the ends that connect the top and middle leaf, where the clamp is?

 

so i shouldnt worry about the ones where the center pin goes through all the leafs in the middle?

 

[LongrangeLauber]

alright, so heres a list of what i should try, in the order given. If you think I should try anything else, please lemme know:

 

1) power wash and grease in between leaf springs at the pads on the ends

 

2) if that dont work, replace the pads

 

3) if neither of those work, maybe combine the two ideas?

 

4) and if all those still dont work, replace the spring packings!

 

anything else i could try, just let me know

[ChevyTech77]

I would simiply just lube the area that you think the noise is coming from and repair as necessary. Stop overkilling it. LOL.