Suspension Chirping

[4x4sapper]

Every time I hit a pothole or sharp bump in the road I hear a chirping sound. I've replace all 4 shocks, one of which had a bad seal, with new Skyjacker nitros. Does not make any noise when I jump on the bumpers to rock the truck. Also had the wheels rebalanced. Put 2" torsion keys in last fall so i was wondering if the cv joints were wearing. Got 51k miles on my truck. Any help is greatly appreciated.

[leboyd]

Every time I hit a pothole or sharp bump in the road I hear a chirping sound. I've replace all 4 shocks, one of which had a bad seal, with new Skyjacker nitros. Does not make any noise when I jump on the bumpers to rock the truck. Also had the wheels rebalanced. Put 2" torsion keys in last fall so i was wondering if the cv joints were wearing. Got 51k miles on my truck. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Figuring out what is wrong because of a noise that we can't hear is probably impossible, but I'll step out.

 

My personal experience is that "chirping" sounds are almost always spring related or - surprise - body addon related. When you rock the truck you're not putting nearly the force on the suspension that the truck goes through on the road (in other words, by the time the suspension is so bad that rocking the truck makes a noise you're in serious trouble). I'm not surprised that the shock replacement and wheel rebalancing had no effect on the noise.

 

I'm about 99.9% sure that it's not the cv joints. First, 51k miles is nothing and second I've never heard cv joints "chirp". You don't say that it's the front that is making the noise, but I'm guessing because you mentioned the cv joints that it is the front.

 

Do you have a brush guard, winch or something similar mounted on the front? I have heard the chirps when these items "brush" against the bumper because the mounting is loose.

 

I would tighten all of the nuts/bolts for my guard/winch/etc. first. Then I'd jack up the truck and check the front suspension. Tighten everything. Finally, I'd graphite-spray the joints where the rubbing could be occuring.

 

Hope this helps.

[redcorvetteman3]

I had a 92 C 1500 that made more of a sqeaking noise and it was the U joints. Just a thought!

[Stevens03]

Leaf spring insulators? GM sells them cheap.

[2k7gmcsierra]

After installing my 33's my truck has been squeaking like crazy. I couldn't isolate the cause until I read through some old posts last night. My problem was the leaf spring perches needed lubricating. I sprayed some white lithium grease between the springs and into the perches. She's back to being as quiet as she could be.

[alwcurlz]

It was the leaf springs on my truck. I used WD40 which didn't last. I tried the white grease stuff...won't go in the leaf spring pads/spacers or rubber bushings. I used regular motor oil in a squirt can and that fixed the squeaky leaf springs for a while. It's squeaking again so I'll be lubing up the springs again lol. Need a grease zerk for these lol.

[NFSGamerUSA]

Yeah, probably the leaf spring bushings or whatever. Lubricate them (it'll only last a certain amount of time; the squeak comes with the design), and depending on their condition, replace them.

[2k7gmcsierra]

I bought the white lithium grease in the spray can. It came with a straw like WD40. Gets into the tight spots surprisingly well. Consistency is thicker than WD40 but it sprays and stays.

[Stylous]

My findings were the rubber bushings between the frame and the body just behind the plastic fender walls. When you take those off you will see a sht load of dirt, road grime etc. I used a brush to clean it as best I could then hit it with wd40. I did the same thing on the p-side and haven't had squeeking since. Worth a look.

 

Note, mine only squeeked when I was under 10 mph but it annoyed the shizz out of me.