Bilstein 5100 lifespan?

I’ve had the 5100s for 4 years now and I’ve had this ANNOYING crunch/creak sound whenever I go over speed bumps or just brake in general. Basically whenever the front suspension engages. I’ll mostly hear it just driving around like in a parking lot. Also cracks when turning.
Should I suspect my shocks? Or could this probably be something else? I’m at 260k miles.

 

Leaf springs; what kind are you running? How old and what kind of leaf spring and shackle bushings do you have?

 

As far as I know they’re the original

 

Shocks, balljoints, control arm bushings, leaf spring bushings, coil spring isolators, coil top hats, sway bar bushings. Really anything that moves could be making noise. I'd start by spraying things down with lube to see if it stops when you do something, but a lot of these things likely need attention at 260k anyways.

 

Ya I’m starting to assume that I won’t be able to narrow it down to a specific part but more that I’ll end up dumping my tax return into it to replace multiple things instead. Can’t wait! Lol

 

It is so easy to throw a bunch of money away on parts when you are chasing suspension noises.

I was in this situation once and found that using a 6-channel "wired" chassis ear let me narrow down a noise that turned out to be caused by an Energy Suspension poly sway bar bushings. I replaced some good struts thinking they were noisy then the chassis ear revealed a creaking poly bushing.

The wireless versions are handy. I bought a basic wired version for approximately $100. It would be great if parts stores would rent chassis ears.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Steelman...-6-Channel-Chassis-Ear-Listening-Kit/25927694

https://youtu.be/CK7sbqJ1OxQ

 

Wow I never knew these existed thank you!