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Leaf spring " slap" clanking noise fix

chevy2tuff2006

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snarkee Senior Enthusiast

snarkee

Posted
Posted

Mine went away then came back....I degreased the leafs and power washed them today. Once everything dried up I drove it and the noises were gone.

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

I have been saying for a while.. dirt in the springs has a lot to do with it. So much for "All Terrain"

snarkee Senior Enthusiast

snarkee

Posted
Posted

I have been saying for a while.. dirt in the springs has a lot to do with it. So much for "All Terrain"

Guess I'll have to keep cleaning them
HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

Yeah the leaf springs have delrin plastic pads to help the ends of the leafs slide on each other as the suspension compresses and rebounds. The dirt increases friction and causes the pads to pop and creak. Happens on any leaf spring truck.

 

Pressure wash them. Re-torque the u-bolts. Avoid putting grease on them as that will attract dirt and it will eventually come back. If one of the plastic pad is missing, Dorman makes replacements. They can even be found on Amazon.

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

The delrin plastic pads have nothing to do with my noise. My issue is when you barley push down on the bed, or there is slight articulation when backing up at slow speeds. In these cases, the springs aren't being compress enough to even touch the pads below. The issue with my 2016 truck and my previous 2014 before this are the same.. and I think they both creaking issues were caused by the spring hangers.

 

Again, i'm only talking about slight compression of the springs. Getting in and out of the truck, climbing in the bed, backing up, etc.. you can hear slight creaking.

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

Not the overload spring pads or the pads at the center of the springs. There are plastic pads between the main spring and the next leaf down. Look at the clamps at the end of the 2nd spring. There is a small plastic pad between them at these clamps. It takes very little articulation or other movement for these pads to slide. Even just the small amount of axle wrap when stopping or accelerating from a stop can cause the pad to slide.

 

post-129450-0-10989400-1466652546_thumb.jpg

 

The delrin plastic pads have nothing to do with my noise. My issue is when you barley push down on the bed, or there is slight articulation when backing up at slow speeds. In these cases, the springs aren't being compress enough to even touch the pads below. The issue with my 2016 truck and my previous 2014 before this are the same.. and I think they both creaking issues were caused by the spring hangers.

 

Again, i'm only talking about slight compression of the springs. Getting in and out of the truck, climbing in the bed, backing up, etc.. you can hear slight creaking.

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GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

ok.. I got it. Yes, that could very well be an issue. I need to check mine. what type of pad goes in between them? link?

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

ok.. I got it. Yes, that could very well be an issue. I need to check mine. what type of pad goes in between them? link?

 

The pads are probably there, but what typically happens is dirt makes it's way in between the surface of the pad and the upper leaf. The extra friction causes the pad to creak/squeak/pop as it stick-slips against the leaf.

 

First, pressure wash each pad. After they dry off, you can try lubricating them if you'd like. I would use either a dry graphite spray lube or a Teflon (PTFE) spray. I think I used Super Lube spray (AC Delco #12346241 / Super Lube 31110).

 

https://www.amazon.com/Genuine-Fluid-12346241-Super-Lube/dp/B000QGYJ82/ref=sr_1_2?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1466718272&sr=1-2&keywords=superlube

 

Here's a picture of the polyurethane square pads (2.5x2.5"):

post-129450-0-48984100-1466718102_thumb.jpg

 

Installing leaf spring pads:

http://www.dieseltruckresource.com/forums/1st-gen-ram-all-topics-93/installing-polyurethane-spring-tip-inserts-224332/

 

Techlink Article on leaf spring noise:

http://sandyblogs.com/techlink/?p=5002

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Johnholmes85 New Member

Johnholmes85

Posted
Posted

I have the same problem on my 2014 Gmc AT. The dealer tells me they torqued my springs as they were loose but the clunking noise is from my under coating. They told me to pressure was them. I did that and the sound was gone... For about a week. Now it's back at full force. I didn't really pressure wash the bushings, I'm wondering if that will fix it. I think this is absolute bullshit, every other brand that uses leafs springs and every other year of GM or Chev I'm sure get dirt on them and you never hear that noise. I'm a GM/Chevy for life kind of guy but makes me want to change to Ford which I can't believe I'm saying!

emeryz28 Enthusiast

emeryz28

Posted
Posted

I am hearing this noise only on the drivers side rear. With the window down it is clanking sound and window up it is more of a muffled rattle.

 

What are the rear torque specs anyway?

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

I have the same problem on my 2014 Gmc AT. The dealer tells me they torqued my springs as they were loose but the clunking noise is from my under coating. They told me to pressure was them. I did that and the sound was gone... For about a week. Now it's back at full force. I didn't really pressure wash the bushings, I'm wondering if that will fix it. I think this is absolute bullshit, every other brand that uses leafs springs and every other year of GM or Chev I'm sure get dirt on them and you never hear that noise. I'm a GM/Chevy for life kind of guy but makes me want to change to Ford which I can't believe I'm saying!

First time I ever watched a guy pull his leaf springs apart because of squeaky pads was on a F150 haha. It's how I narrowed down my suspension noise so fast.

 

I would try a teflon or graphite spray on the pads.

HondaHawkGT Senior Enthusiast

HondaHawkGT

Posted
Posted

I am hearing this noise only on the drivers side rear. With the window down it is clanking sound and window up it is more of a muffled rattle.

 

What are the rear torque specs anyway?

I have written down: 59 ft-lbs first pass, 130 degrees 2nd pass

GMC-AT Senior Enthusiast

GMC-AT

Posted
Posted

Again, after having this issue on two seperate trucks ( 2014, 2016) I really don't think the pads have anything to do with the issue. The issue seems to be the where the springs bolt up to the frame hangers

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