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Help me figure out this F@#$%^G creak!!! 2016 Sierra

sensinitas

By sensinitas
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

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sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
Posted

I have a creak coming from the front left suspension that's driving me up a wall. I can't figure it out. This is a 2016 Sierra 4WD 5.3.

 

Here is what I know:

 

  • I've had a RC 2.5" level on the front for about three months
  • I started noticing the sound about three weeks ago. It has progressively gotten worse. I drove 15 hours yesterday, and it's now as bad as ever.
  • I checked all the suspension nuts, bolts, connections, and all were good.
  • I had the dealership do the same, and still all good.
  • I can feel the creak in the driver side floor with my feet.
  • I JUST started to be able to hear it outside over the last day or so
  • Seems to only happen on rebound, and at any speed. Very loud at low speeds.
  • When I installed the leveling kit, the driver's side was the only side I disconnected the sway bar.
  • Tonight I sprayed silicone lubricant on the upper control arm bushings, upper ball joint, and sway bar end link bushings. No luck.

 

Here is a video I took tonight of me rocking the truck side to side. The sound seems to be coming from right behind the wheel (sorry it's upside down):

 

https://youtu.be/3wAkxS09Po8

 

Any ideas?

sams819 Enthusiast

sams819

Posted
Posted

Just a thought. Loosen the control arm bolts while the truck is resting on the ground with its weight on it. then re torque them.

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Just a thought. Loosen the control arm bolts while the truck is resting on the ground with its weight on it. then re torque them.

Ok. Even though I never touched them?

silveradosid Senior Enthusiast

silveradosid

Posted
Posted

i would loosen off the sway bar link and see if it changes. double check that the bushing is centered in the lower control arm, could be the bolt is rubbing in the control arm if it is not centered

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

i would loosen off the sway bar link and see if it changes. double check that the bushing is centered in the lower control arm, could be the bolt is rubbing in the control arm if it is not centered

 

Ok. I've read more threads about end link noise, so I was wondering if this was the culprit, especially since this was the only side I actually disconnected the end link. I remember tightening it back up was kind of funky.

 

PB Blaster the bushings, see if there is a change

 

Did that last night. No change.

OmniCamaro Enthusiast

OmniCamaro

Posted
Posted

Holy crap that sounds awful. How far is it traveling in the video (1/8", 1/2",)?

I'm thinking strut if it's moving it but I'm no expert.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Holy crap that sounds awful. How far is it traveling in the video (1/8", 1/2",)?

I'm thinking strut if it's moving it but I'm no expert.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Traveling probably at least an inch. I was rocking it pretty hard.

20L8TSierra24 Senior Enthusiast

20L8TSierra24

Posted
Posted

Lower control arm ball joint failed. Same exact thing happened to me on the driver's side. I had a 2 in RC level as well

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Lower control arm ball joint failed. Same exact thing happened to me on the driver's side. I had a 2 in RC level as well

Awesome. What do I need to fix it? Just a new ball joint? How would it fail so quickly?

 

I also have to drive 15 hours in a couple days. Safe to drive?

20L8TSierra24 Senior Enthusiast

20L8TSierra24

Posted
Posted

Awesome. What do I need to fix it? Just a new ball joint? How would it fail so quickly?

 

I also have to drive 15 hours in a couple days. Safe to drive?

My dealer replaced mine under warranty. I had the exact same noise. You may want to take the leveling kit out when you take it in so you don't have problems. I don't think it'll be unsafe, just annoying. I would recommend fixing it before a drive that long though. It probably failed because there was a hole in the rubber casing allowing water to get in

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

My dealer replaced mine under warranty. I had the exact same noise. You may want to take the leveling kit out when you take it in so you don't have problems. I don't think it'll be unsafe, just annoying. I would recommend fixing it though

That's the plan. Already made an appointment. Thanks for your help!!

sensinitas Enthusiast

sensinitas

Posted
  • Author
Posted

let us know if that fixes it

So I took the leveling kit off yesterday. No more noise. [emoji119] Cancelling my appointment for the lower ball joint until I can actually hear it again.

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