Rear Leaf springs clunking sound

[Patrick Shaughnessy]

2017 Silverado LTZ Z71 4 door.  I have been reading and watching videos about the rear leafs on these trucks making a clunking sound, squeaks, and other sounds. In the morning in reverse to start your day off right and then over bumps that noise gets you all pumped up.  I have tried grease, spray's, water proof and not, cleaned them, you name it I have done it.  The dealer said that was normal sounds, (WTF).  Does anyone have a fix for this like replacing bushings or such, and if this does work, where to get them, don't care about how much, want noise gone.  My truck started making the noise at around 11,000 miles and has gotten worse.  Now I am out of warranty, the dealer is saying the cost will be very high, again (WTF).  If someone has a good solution, I would really appreciate the help, thanks. 

[paumat]

Cut a sheet of rubber from a tire inner tube and put it between the leaves at each end of the spring. This worked for me and others. If you do a search of my few posts I posted a procedure and some photos in one of the leaf spring threads. 

[NoLand]

I’ll vouch for the inner tube fix. I did it last weekend and it took me about 20 mins tops. It completely eliminated the clunking/groaning. I’ve still got some squeaks from the shackles, but the clunking was the most frustrating thing.


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[Rukus]

I have yet to see pic of how this is done (I've read many of the threads).   Maybe I am over thinking it, but not sure where to put the rubber...   Can you post pics or link to a thread with pics... please

[NoLand]

I have yet to see pic of how this is done (I've read many of the threads).   Maybe I am over thinking it, but not sure where to put the rubber...   Can you post pics or link to a thread with pics... please

I didn’t take any pics. Just jack up the truck via the frame to relax the pressure in the springs. I bought a bicycle inner tube and cut it into 3-4” sections and then put them in between the 1-2 and 2-3 leafs right where they make contact. This was right at the end for the 1-2 pack and about 12-18” in on the 2-3 pack.


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[paumat]

 

[T-Town-Z]

Seems like the nuts on the u-bolts (centered below the leaf springs) loosen up after some miles.  I don't remember the torque value, but if you crank them down reasonably tight, you may get rid of some or all of the noise.  When I did mine, it also helped eliminate a minor vibration I had at highway speeds.