Deaver U748 Noise/Grease Question

Hey guys,

I'm at about ~1500 miles post-install for my new Deaver U748s and MCM 3/4" shackles on my 2020 Crewmax. They were completely quiet after install, but starting at about 1000 miles post install, the rear-end developed a "creaking" noise. The noise has gotten progressively worst until now. I'm aware that leaf springs can be squeaky, and have found some other reports of U748s being noisy, but the noise is a bit different than previous trucks with noisy leaf springs that I've owned.

It didn't even occur to me that I'd need grease for the Energy Suspension bushings that came with my kit until I was halfway through the install (it was one of those "It's 10am on a Tuesday and these things have been sitting in my garage for too long" installs). I called Energy Suspension customer support, who confirmed that the Valvoline Palladium (Lithium based) w/Moly grease I use for my SPC balljoints would work fine and I'm pretty confident I effectively lubricated the bushings before install.

The progressively worsening noise and this article have me a little concerned that the lube in question was not "tacky" enough for this application. However, I can still see what I believe is the same amount of excess grease at the edge of the bushings that was displaced during assembly so I can't imagine the interior of the bushing/sleeve is excessively dry at this point.

My question for those more experienced than I; does this sound like the normal polyurethane bushing noises, or something different?

I figured I would take a stab at inspecting them when I upgrade my rear shocks from the Toytec 2.0 IFPs at some point in the next 5k-10k and re-lubricate with the manufacturer's grease. Assuming the noise remains at a bearable volume, is there any concern about waiting that long if it is indeed the bushings?

 

If they're poly bushings with a sleeve in the middle, make sure the inside and outside of that sleeve are greased up, as that's where it rotates. The grease shouldn't go anywhere unless it gets washed out with water/mud/snow, etc, but that would take much longer than 1000 miles.

 

Thanks Mike; I appreciate you lending your expertise. They are indeed poly bushings with a sleeve in the middle. I'm pretty confident I lubed the inside and outside of all of the sleeves, but I will admit that I was mistakenly paying more attention to keeping the bushings lubed so I may have not have been as thorough on each sleeve.

Assuming I didn't leave any completely dry, do you think there is any harm in waiting a few more thousand miles to get to it other than managing the noise? I'd like to wait until it's convenient, but not at the expense of especially premature wear.

 

If it were dry, the friction from it rotating can "melt" the bushing, eventually, but I doubt that would happen very fast. You probably did grease it, as getting that metal sleeve inside the bushing can be pretty difficult if it isn't greased first.

Have someone jump up and down on the bed of the truck to make it move up and down as much as possible then put your hands on the ends of the leaf springs at the same time to figure out where the noise is coming from.

 

That was my next step. Now I've just gotta figure out the right way to ask my wife to do it without implying it's because she's heavier than the kids.

 

Hahaha

Have all of them do it together, the kids will think it's fun.

"Make my truck shake up and down until it makes noises". LOL