Crossmember rattle? Help!?!

quackmaster · April 7, 2004

Hello guys, I just found this site and hope you may be able to help me.

99 z-71 ext cab.

I've got a noise that is driving me nuts and the dealer identified as a loose cross member.

When I slow down and turn, go over a speed bump turn into my drive way, or pretty much any slow turn, there is a series of "bonks" 2 maybe 3. The maint. guy rode with me and told me he could feel it under his feet when I took him for a ride. It seems as though you can here it from both sides of the truck. We crawled under there and he said he thought it was one of the cross members that have the rubber bushing aboe them was just the slightest bit loose. I have jerked around on everything under there and torqued on every thing I could, but can't seem to find it. Any of you guys have any ideas?

How many miles can you get out of factory shocks. I have 75,000 and think it is about that time.

Thanks,

Kris C.

Little Rock, AR

Shaners · April 7, 2004

Welcome to this site!!!

With 75K on the stock shocks, I'd say they are "toast".

Your noise could be coming from your shocks, or perhaps the front torsion bars.

99silveradoz71 · April 8, 2004

I'd suggest some Bilstein HD's to replace those stocks...even if that's not the cause, new shocks at 75k would be a nice improvement

quackmaster · April 8, 2004

I've used the edelbrocks before on my 95 truck, how do they compare with the bilsteins?

2001 HD · April 8, 2004

Soooooiiiiieeeeee !!!

Quackmaster:

Check e-brake cable too. They get a little stretched out after a while, especially if you use it on a regular basis. I'm sure you've checked the old intermediate steering shaft? (Known problem), and you did say you 've re-torqued all your suspension and chassis hardware.

I'm running Bilsteins also. They firm up the ride a little bit. More truck like ride. Can't say much about the Eldebrock or Rancho's since I haven't used them. Do a search for all three brands or shocks and you'll get plenty of info.

SilveradoWV · April 8, 2004

Had the same problem, replaced the cross member supports and bushings. You could actually move my crossmember on the drivers side where the bushing was nearly gone. Mine made a thump on semi rough terrain and on speed bumps etc.... I could also feel it under my feet! Hope that helps!

03GMC2500HD · April 8, 2004

Those sound like the same symptoms as the steering shaft that might need to be lubed. It was always when I slowed or turned I could feel knocking under my feet. Only I could feel it a little in the steering wheel too. Just another option!

quackmaster · April 8, 2004

Those sound like the same symptoms as the steering shaft that might need to be lubed. It was always when I slowed or turned I could feel knocking under my feet. Only I could feel it a little in the steering wheel too. Just another option!

Ok guys thanks for the info, I'm no motor head, and I am a product of the arkansas public school system, so bear with me. Is lubing the steering shaft something I can do, or is that something the dealer needs to do?