wicked front end creak after recent work

Hey guys,

experiencing a gnarly noise (creak) in the front end. seems like i hear it the most on braking/acceleration when the suspension is moving. sounds like it might be coming from the front driver side. this recently started happening after the following work:

• lower control arm bushings (I used siberian bushings)
• coilover top hat (these are from wheelers offroad)
• energy suspension steering rack bushings
• no name outer tie rod ends
• alignment cams (SPC 25445)

a few things Ive checked since

• every bolt that i removed has been triple checked (guesstimating torque)
• my alignment cams are not moving (i made marks when i performed the alignment)
• no play in the steering rack when i try to wiggle it.
• every single wear item in the front end has been replaced since i bought this truck a couple years ago.

Does anyone have input? is this just what i have to live with since i used poly bushings? all the bushings were lubricated upon installation with a basic lithium grease, and the alignment cams were doused with anti-seize.

 

For everything above you used which had poly bushings ... did you use poly-compatible grease on them, liberally? If not, it's almost definitely poly squeaks. This is probably the #1 mistake people make when moving from rubber to poly bushings. You MUST lube the inside where the poly contacts the steel, and it's advisable to lube any outside surface if it contacts steel, like the UCA bushings, for example, which have a steel washer on either side.

 

I agree with Shifty. As soon as I read this sentence I figured that was the source.

 

I mean, I admit, read "creak" and thought "squeak". I dunno if some people differentiate, language is different everywhere. If it's honestly a creak, I'd be pulling the swaybar links to see if it stops. If not, I'd also be checking the leaf springs to make sure the spacers are there.

 

every poly surface has grease, a basic lithium that is poly-compatible. I really don't think it is a "poly squeak". the sound is more of a creak to it, it has some bass to it. almost like i can feel it happening just as much as i can hear it. I'm convinced its more "Mechanical"

 

Oh shit. You used the SPC cams with the shitty plastic tubes, didn't you?

 

spot on. i saved all my alignment hardware so all i need is cam sleeves and i can replace everything with oem again

 

First thing I'd do in your case is the easiest:

1. Confirm all spacers are still there between each leaf spring at the ends.
2. Pull your swaybar links out totally, then see if it's still happening.

 

i already have my endlinks pulled out, and i believe my leaf spacers might be gone. ill check and report back.

 

Get on the driver side of the rear bumper and bounce the truck up and down, see if it happens. If not, try the passenger side of the rear bumper. If not, maybe try standing on the driver doorsill, then the passenger.

If you can reproduce the sound, lay under the truck while a friend repeats the action, see if you can track it down.

 

the noise ended up being due to the SPC alignment cams. garbage parts, garbage results. replaced with OEM hardware, got an alignment and now my truck is silent and drives great.

 

Glad you found it. I've seen a few times now that the SPC cams allow too much play. Definitely another 'OEM only' part.

 

Worthy of mention in the OEM plus or minus thread

 

Yes. Please. People don’t seem to want to believe the warnings about the plastic sleeves. As if a plastic part in that position could possibly be good.

Someone needs to email SPC and ask them why they would ever do that, and much more so, how they would ever put their name on such an inferior product. It REALLY reflects poorly on their brand!