Leaf Spring Noise

[Silverado-Hareek]

My truck had this leaf spring noise for a while after I bought. Then I noticed at some point that it had stopped and never came back. I don't know what happened but if it's my u-bolts, I suspect there's a TSB or something out there that the dealer took care of while it was in the shop for an oil change.

[Mike1123]

Add me to the list of people with leaf spring issues. I hear it only at low speeds and it sounds like something is loose or banging around in the rear of the truck. I think I've narrowed it down to the front of the passenger side leaf spring. I had a buddy rock the truck while I was under it and it appears that the 2nd longest leaf is rubbing against longest leaf causing a noise. I'd like to tighten it but all that is there is a clamp with rubber inserts. It looks like it may have been pressed on so there's no way to adjust it that I can see. Dealer told me the same thing, that they all do that. That's BS because I didn't hear the noise until about a month ago (after having the truck for 5 months).

[Rogey89]

Mine would creak when someone stepped into the bed. The slightest grade change it sounds like the rear end was going to fall out.

 

Jack the truck up (hoist recommended) to remove the load on the leaf springs - separate springs with a flat head or equivalent - grease the area's where the leaf springs contact one another.

 

Mine sounds like it used to a year ago.

[Sal]

Leaf spring front perch bushings...Too much side to side and vertical play. Hold your hand under front perch and have buddy shake truck side to side, you'll hear and feel the knocking right there!

[Lund2016]

I had a 2011 Silverado that had over 17 thousand dollars in warranty work and it took them 2yrs to figure out what was the clunking noise which turned out to be the leaf springs. I traded it in spring 2017 for serria because it started to burn oil. I had the shocks replaced at 10 thousands kilometres and again I have the same clunking noise as before dealer is aware of the leaf spring issue there solution is re-tourqe which doesn’t help at all . I’m going to a northend springs tomorrow to see what they can find.

[SierraBravo]

For what its worth, my dealer changed out my rear "Leaf Spring Insulators" and it corrected my problem. He had seen it before  (but not a-lot) and  recognized the problem quickly. They replaced it under warranty. So far so good. 

 

Its a confusing noise. My problem was a noise coming from the rear of the truck and sounded like what I, and most people I think, would call a "squeaky leaf spring"  coming from the rear leaf springs....but ONLY when the windows are rolled DOWN. When you rolled the windows UP it sounded completely different....more like a  subtle but obvious rubbery grinding  squeaky sound like a bad rubber bushing or something to that affect. And with the windows UP it oddly never sounded definitively like it was coming from the rear. Also, again, with the windows up, it could sound like something was loose or lightly rolling in the bed that some might call clunky as others have described (like loose bottles of water in an empty cooler kinda thing but subtle). All this was while at low speed and reverse and usually transitioning from elevations (ie speed bumps, driveway etc). High speed driving, I never hear anything. To complicate things more, I have a 2" ProRunner level system on the truck. I thought that might be causing the issue but thankfully not. And GMC dealer did not take issue with covering it under warranty because of the level kit.

[Jacoby]

I tried the rubber between the leafs trick and it helped a little with the clunk.  I still have the horrible creaking noise at low speeds. 

[scurt05]

Mine is currently in the shop for the third attempt to repair. Multiple service advisers have admitted to knowing this is an outstanding issue for many GM customers. They also in the same breath assure me that GM will only allow them to keep doing the current band-aid fix under warranty. I have 12,000 on my 2018 sierra and the dang thing sounds like its 15 years old. 

 

I will be sending my official Final-Repair-Attempt to the Manufacturer and when they still do not fix it I have every intention to follow through with Lemon Law. I have every expectation they will just do the same thing as always: re-torque, clean and grease. That fix works amazingly...for about 500 miles. 

 

I really hate this, as other than this issue I love my truck more than any other on the road. However, I refuse to drive a $50k truck that will not resell because anyone who test drives it will think its falling apart. 

[Cupton]

My ‘18 Sierra is going in tomorrow for some new noises which sound similar. Just turned 12k miles. Got some clunking or thumping noises when going over bumps or dips at lower speeds both forward and in reverse. It’s way more prevalent below 15 mph and worse when the wheel is turned in either direction. Backing out of my garage, cranking the wheel and up the driveway is especially fun. We’ll see what my dealer says tomorrow.

[scurt05]

14 hours ago, Cupton said:

My ‘18 Sierra is going in tomorrow for some new noises which sound similar. Just turned 12k miles. Got some clunking or thumping noises when going over bumps or dips at lower speeds both forward and in reverse. It’s way more prevalent below 15 mph and worse when the wheel is turned in either direction. Backing out of my garage, cranking the wheel and up the driveway is especially fun. We’ll see what my dealer says tomorrow.

This is definitely the same issue. If my dealer isn't full of it (they've been very straight forward seemingly) all they will do is clean and grease the springs and torque all bolts to spec. This is all GM will allow them to do under warranty coverage. GM is refusing to own up to this issue, even though they acknowledge it as one, and provide permanent fixes. 

[Cupton]

39 minutes ago, scurt05 said:

This is definitely the same issue. If my dealer isn't full of it (they've been very straight forward seemingly) all they will do is clean and grease the springs and torque all bolts to spec. This is all GM will allow them to do under warranty coverage. GM is refusing to own up to this issue, even though they acknowledge it as one, and provide permanent fixes. 

Heading over there in an hour. I’ll report back here if anyone is interested. 

[Cupton]

4 hours ago, Cupton said:

Heading over there in an hour. I’ll report back here if anyone is interested. 

Interested or not you get to hear is what my dealer said/did. ;)

 

I explained the issue and they took the truck back for about 30-45 min and confirmed the noises after a test drive and doing what I told them to do in order to replicate. The advisor contacted GM and was told this is becoming more known and to loosen and re-torque the bolts. What bolts, Im not sure. So they did that and after testing, the advisor came to me and said it is better but he's still not happy and would like to replace the shackles, but unfortunately they are not in stock and wont be for a couple of days. So, not a complete fix, but the fact that my dealer doesn't think I'm crazy, confirmed the sound and is working with me to fix, I'm a happy so far. The noise did seem a lot less on the drive home and into my driveway and garage. So I'm hopeful!

[Dusty734]

On 7/23/2015 at 2:40 PM, GMCustomerService said:

 

Hi 88junior and everyone,

 

We recognize noise from your leaf springs have been very frustrating. Please know we'd would be happy to follow up with the dealer and research this in greater detail. Feel free to send us a PM if you'd like to discuss things further or need additional assistance. We look forward to hearing from you.

 

Sincerely,

Eddie A.

GM Customer Care

Lucky you folks just have noise . My 2013 missed warranty by 4 months and 400 miles. Huge hole in left frame rail at 100800 miles .

Wanna trade 

[Praedator]

Known problem on these years with leaf springs getting dirty and creaking and popping/clunking! They just tighten and grease.

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[flyingfool]

i have a 2012 HD2500 sierra, same issue, at low speeds, just ignore it , its a truck not a mercedes