Rear suspension popping...creaking
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,031
Likes: 45
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I recently had the following installed:
2" drop Shackle
Caltrac Traction Bars
These sit on a Saleen leafspring that has lowered the truck 1.5"
Recently, my shocks? have started popping. At least, I think its my shocks, I cant think of anything else that would make that noise back there. Additionally, when the truck starts or stops or has any kind of body roll, the suspension squeaks something awful. It sounds like the dang bed is going to fall off. I soaked my leaf springs in Deep Creak and something was still squeaking. I just cant figure it out.
I am thinking I may have done some damage to my shocks. A friend of mine 'accidentally' hauled 1.7 tons of stone in the bed of my truck (truck is an FX2). He only drove about 5 miles or so.
Do shocks "pop?" What else could be squeaking and creaking? Sometimes it sounds like it is right behind my cab (but its not my bed cover). Any other input would be appreciated.
2" drop Shackle
Caltrac Traction Bars
These sit on a Saleen leafspring that has lowered the truck 1.5"
Recently, my shocks? have started popping. At least, I think its my shocks, I cant think of anything else that would make that noise back there. Additionally, when the truck starts or stops or has any kind of body roll, the suspension squeaks something awful. It sounds like the dang bed is going to fall off. I soaked my leaf springs in Deep Creak and something was still squeaking. I just cant figure it out.
I am thinking I may have done some damage to my shocks. A friend of mine 'accidentally' hauled 1.7 tons of stone in the bed of my truck (truck is an FX2). He only drove about 5 miles or so.
Do shocks "pop?" What else could be squeaking and creaking? Sometimes it sounds like it is right behind my cab (but its not my bed cover). Any other input would be appreciated.
Shocks you say? I'm surprised the frame ain't bent over the axle.
Pardon my incredulous wonderment ..... but you've lowered the truck, removed the truck springs for lowereing springs and longer shacklesand then bound them up with traction bars so she's no longer really a "truck" ...
... but rathermore like a "ride" ...
... before loaning the truck to a friend to haul 3700 pounds of stone.
You have removed all the "jounce room" between frame and axle, and then he loads it so it's sitting on the bounce stops.
Best thing you can do is shorter shocks, check the frame and shock mounts really close, look for bent parts or cracked welds like shock mount to axle areas ...
... and put a locking bed cover on and lock it and loose the key.
I do not loan out my trucks .... period. I'll halp a buddy all day, I'll use my truck doing it, but I do not just hand anyone the keys and say "use it like it was mine" .... 'cause that's likely just what they will do (seeing as they don't have their own so they don't know what damage can be done).
Last edited by tbear853; Sep 26, 2011 at 09:49 PM.