Leaf spring creak over 12-18" water bars - is this normal?

[pavementends]

Hi all, did a little light offroading over the weekend and noticed quite a bit of creaking in the rear end especially over off-camber 12-18" high water bars which caused the rear suspension to articulate quite a bit. Tried in 2WD and 4WD high and low and no change, so not related to drivetrain binding. Got home and Googled it and sounds like "leaf spring creak" is fairly normal for newer trucks, yes? Eventually the Teflon spring pack pads/dampers/isolators get worn through causing metal to metal creak, but considering my truck only has 8k miles I'm assuming it's just the flexing causing the new pads to wear in and creak a bit? I found just as much advise to add grease/lubricant between the leaves as leave them dry (to not attract more dust and dirt). My first brand new truck, so maybe the answer is "normal, just keep going". Do new leaf packs creak at first then wear in and quiet down? Thanks

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[pavementends]

Bump - this may be a question for more offroady forums

 

[Mauimaikai]

I believe your assessment is correct. You also have aftermarket shocks or factory? I took mine off-roading day 2 and it was pretty creaky, as you did, I attributed it to "breaking in". After 38K and the different shocks the creak is pretty much nonexistent. If I've been out through mud and water and dirt I may hear some creak here and there as debris get caught up but not as much as when new and factory shocks. Next up I need new UCA's but these prices for 14gen is insane. WTF would aluminum control arms for instance be $800. Thats just straight highway robbery.

 

[UGADawg96]

Funny you mention this. I was recently DM'ing with @Snakebitten about having some creaking in the rear end to see if it was a RAS issue. I installed RAS back in July, but over the last couple weeks I've been hearing a creaking in the rear end. Didn't hear it before October. It is most pronounced when taking uneven turns or when shaking the bed back and forth or when heavily loaded and going up and down. If I have the radio over 6, I don't hear it, but with the radio off, there is a creaking. It was definitely louder when we were in VA last week when it was a bit colder, but now back in FL and warmer, it is quieter. I tried to have the wife shake the bed, but she can't get it moving enough for me to figure out where the sound is coming from. But if I get my butt up in it, I can make it creak, but she don't know where to look. 14k miles here and it just started this month. Never been off roading with it.

 

[Snakebitten]

20 years ago we wouldn't hear a creak over all the other squeaks, rattles, and suspension noises of a brand new truck.

These modern trucks are so quiet, relatively, that we actually are wondering "what's that noise?"

 

[powerboatr]

20 years ago we wouldn't hear a creak over all the other squeaks, rattles, and suspension noises of a brand new truck.

These modern trucks are so quiet, relatively, that we actually are wondering "what's that noise?"

i agree.
another reason i leave my hearing aid at home when drive,
my tool box in the bed makes a good bit of noise as it flexes on its mount bars
i made a set of bars that use the box link cleats as supports for the load bars
and the bed seems to flex a good bit which makes those odd noises

bottom leaf is a composite structure and should be very quiet
my 350 used to squeak on the spring pack.
i lifted it up and let them open up and washed out the road grit.
applied dry film lube and that would soften them for a while

 

[pavementends]

I believe your assessment is correct. You also have aftermarket shocks or factory? I took mine off-roading day 2 and it was pretty creaky, as you did, I attributed it to "breaking in". After 38K and the different shocks the creek is pretty much nonexistent. If I've been out through mud and water and dirt I may hear some creek here and there as debris get caught up but not as much as when new and factory shocks. Next up I need new UCA's but these prices for 14gen is insane. WTF would aluminum control arms for instance be $800. Thats just straight highway robbery.

Ok, I think they're still just breaking in. Headed out to cut some firewood this weekend so the suspension will get a workout. There's only the 2 leaves per side (no Max Tow) so hopefully it quiets down with more use. I installed Eibachs all around. Creak isn't a rear shock noise though and everything is silent and rides great on roads and highways.

 

[KodiakPlat]

My rear end squeaks a lot, is very loud and especially after it rains. 63k miles and completely stock.

 

[KodiakPlat]

My rear end squeaks a lot, is very loud and especially after it rains. 63k miles and completely stock.

ended up being a torn upper ball joint boot

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