FIXED: New Suspension Creaks Croaks

[NardDog]

So today is the first real day of driving the burb after a whole new Dorman suspension kit (uca,lca, sway bar ELs, sway bar bushings, idler arm, pitman arm, tie rods, ends) was installed and belt tech drop spindles AND and an alignment .
The shop said they put a wrench on just about every bolt and even took the tie rod ends off to be sure the spindles were not too tight. They told me I really needed a new gear box since the steering was not returning back to straight after a turn. i never noticed it before but now its obvious with a whole nee front end.
During the first real drive around town everything seemed ok. I could tell the burb was sloppy in the turns. On my last errand i pulled into a parking spot and as im in the turn I hear it. A quick small croak or creak whichever.
As IM driving I start to hear it on every turn, and I can sit in park and with the play in the wheel turn right or left to make the truck creak and croak.
I will be getting underneath this week sometime to try and locate the noise but until then maybe some of you have an Idea of where the noise could be coming from.

 

[justirv]

So today is the first real day of driving the burb after a whole new Dorman suspension kit (uca,lca, sway bar ELs, sway bar bushings, idler arm, pitman arm, tie rods, ends) was installed and belt tech drop spindles AND and an alignment .
The shop said they put a wrench on just about every bolt and even took the tie rod ends off to be sure the spindles were not too tight. They told me I really needed a new gear box since the steering was not returning back to straight after a turn. i never noticed it before but now its obvious with a whole nee front end.
During the first real drive around town everything seemed ok. I could tell the burb was sloppy in the turns. On my last errand i pulled into a parking spot and as im in the turn I hear it. A quick small croak or creak whichever.
As IM driving I start to hear it on every turn, and I can sit in park and with the play in the wheel turn right or left to make the truck creak and croak.
I will be getting underneath this week sometime to try and locate the noise but until then maybe some of you have an Idea of where the noise could be coming from.

Any polyurethane bushings installed? My initial thought is lack of specific lube/grease in these areas (?).

 

[NardDog]

Any polyurethane bushings installed? My initial thought is lack of specific lube/grease in these areas (?).

Is that the hard plastic bushings usually red colored?

 

[justirv]

Is that the hard plastic bushings usually red colored?

Yes, typically they come in red, but I have seen black versions as well. There should be a clear (opaque), very sticky, silcone type grease oozing out... when they are dry they are very loud. You may see "grease" zerk fittings also, usually on the sway bar mounts.

 

[dps01]

Yes, typically they come in red, but I have seen black versions as well. There should be a clear (opaque), very sticky, silcone type grease oozing out... when they are dry they are very loud. You may see "grease" zerk fittings also, usually on the sway bar mounts.

… and make sure you use and approved grease for polyurethane bushings.

 

[NardDog]

Yes, typically they come in red, but I have seen black versions as well. There should be a clear (opaque), very sticky, silcone type grease oozing out... when they are dry they are very loud. You may see "grease" zerk fittings also, usually on the sway bar mounts.

No, not up front the only poly bushings i used were from JDM the rear sway links.

 

[NardDog]

I took my truck back to the suspension shop. That did my alignment. FYI, not a chain shop. They listen to the noises and recommended more grease and more grease. So we’ll see how that goes.

 

[BoatyMcBoatface]

The torsion bar mount, where the keys are located, float on a dog bone with rubber bushings that attach it to the frame on each side. Its often and overlooked item. Spray some WD 40 and see if the creaking goes away. I did the same with all the replacement and this creaking noise drove me nuts. Finally found it. This was on a 2500 but I think the torsion bar mounts are the same.

 

[NardDog]

FIXED: just need more grease in all the joints. Greased drove it a few miles around town, greased against till the rubbers pooched out.

 

[Fless]

FIXED: just need more grease in all the joints. Greased drove it a few miles around town, greased against till the rubbers pooched out.

Sounds like the greasing was done through the zerk fittings. Which ones were squeaking or took the most grease?

 

[NardDog]

So the worst one was the Idler arm, this is where the noises were coming from. But i also added a bit of grease to the ball joints as well.

 

[ProfeZZor X]

My suspension has a creek that's starting to progressively get louder. I've heard it moan and creek when I turn my wheels left and right, but it only seems to be coming from the front driver's side. I may need to have a suspension shop listen to it as well, or have the dealership listen while getting my oil changed. I'm not sure if my wheel offset has anything to do with it, but I wouldn't rule it out, since I've had those 24x14's on there for 3 years now.