Get Rid of That Squeak!

First: Get all your supplies. You'll need a hammer and a big ass screwdriver or pry bar. A hammer(the big one isn't necessary).Grease(The stuff that goes into a grease gun). If you can find the stuff meant for boat trailers then that would be ideal. Popsicle sticks to apply the lube. A sponge and simple green or the equivalent. A place to wash the "silencer" pads. Pliers to help remove the maxi pads. A jack and jack stands.(This isn't 100% necessary it just makes it easier to get in there.) Vice grips to make sure the leafs are sitting together properly.



Jack it up and find a proper place for the jack stands. Under the hitch is a good spot.



Locate one of the 4 silencer pads and place the screw driver between the leaves and hammer away until she's in there. Then use the pliers and push from the bottom(There's a hole under each silencer pad) to get it out. Then either push it out or pull.



Here's the culprit. Wash the silencer pad in the simple green and water with sponge(Don't use the one that you use for dishes, your wife will get pissed or in my case mom). At this time also wash in between the leaves.




Get some grease on a popsicle stick and spread it around like icing on the top and bottom of where the silencer pad goes. I also applied grease to the pad itself just to make sure I had everything covered.












The rest of the pics just show the location of the silencer pads. There are 4 on each side.

To Reinstall the pads grab it with the pliers and place between the leaves. Then push it into it's spot and line it up with the hole on the bottom. It's easiest to get it in approximately the right spot then move it around from the bottom through the hole with the pliers. You'll have to make sure it's spun the right direction. Then remove the screwdriver and use the vise grips to make sure the leaves are sitting together properly. They should be able to touch if you clamp down on them enough. If you don't have them seated properly put the screwdriver back in and move the pad around to make sure it's in it's designated hole.


For Wyatt,
If you don't feel comfortable doing this feel free to ship your truck to me with the title in the glove box and an empty bill of sale. It will get done promptly and be on the road squeak less in no time.

 

Nice write up!

 

Thanks. C'mon get to 10k already!

 

Great write-up! How long is this lasting for you? When I added a leaf I coated everything in grease and had squeaks start again after the next hard rain. Seems like as soon as there is dirt in there it comes back.

 

x2^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
great write up........

 

4-6 months. If you go mudding it will come back sooner. One of the many reasons I avoid mud now.

I bet if you use marine grease it will last a lot longer. That's designed to repel water. If it can handle being dunked under water on a boat trailer I'm sure it can handle some rain.

Thanks.

 

Sweet, thanks! Will be doing this hopefully soon

 

No prob. Your ears will appreciate it.

 

nice...did the same thing pretty much as you! lol

a putty knife works well too

 

True that, good call.

Almost any of the tools used could be substituted with something else I just wanted to give everybody some instructions to follow so they have an idea of what needs to be done.

 

haha yah this is a good writeup and at least people can look at this now and answer their own questions lol....

 

Yeah it gives the truck a little personality but it pisses me off more so

 

interesting. I got neutral rep from this thread. WTH?

 

Mmm... frosting.

Now I know what to do if mine start squeaking. Thx

 

I'm not accusing anybody I'm just confused.

No prob.

 

haha. Yeah we were all at one time. I still am in many respects when it comes to doing things on the truck

Thanks. Hahaha. That's funny.

 

oooo. I don't think I would have the balls to cut up the truck

 

Nice.

 

Thanks for writing this up. It will be very helpful in the future as my truck begins to squeak.

The neutral rep was most likely positive rep from a noob who did not yet have any rep himself.

 

You're welcome.

That's what I was thinking but a confirmation would be nice. All well it's not a big deal just caused me some confusion.

I saw that. I would be cringing.