OME + Bilstein 5100 creaking noise

I installed OME 885s, Bilstein 5100s and JBA UCAs about 8 months ago. In the past couple months, my drivers side has developed a loud creaking noise. This creaking noise is heard mostly as I drive over speedbumps, road dips, etc. I'm not sure that "creaking" is the best word to describe this, but it is definingly not a squeaking noise. It reminds me of the sound of an old spring mattress or old spring or stepping on old loose floor boards. Anyone have an idea on what this might be?

 

How much lift? Driver side front or rear? Did you do something to the rear leaf springs (e.g., blocks)?

Regardless try: greasing the bushings. Lubricant the leaf springs.

 

This is everything I did, but I can clearly hear the noise coming from the front driver side wheel well. I didn't measure before and after so I don't know the exact amount of lift I achieved.

OME 885 Coils - Front end
Bilstein 5100 Shocks - Front end
Headstrong 1.5" AAL - Rear end
Bilstein 5100 Shocks - Rear end
JBA UCAs - Front end
ECGS Clamshell Bushing
SPC 3.5 Degree Shims
OME Carrier Bearing Spacer

 

I have the same suspension as you and dealing with the same squeak as I hit uneven parts of the road or rail road tracks etc… if you found a solution I am all ears!

 

normal, grease em

 

Thanks, I wish it was a squeak, because I know how to fix that, which is just with grease. I have a creaking noise, like the noise you hear from an old mattress. Still haven't figured out what it is.

 

Leaf springs creak. My stock leafs creaked. My OME leafs creaked. There are many discussions about how to solve it. I just let mine creak.

 

It's coming from my front driver's side wheel well so it's can't be my leafs.

 

Are you sure? It can be hard to tell from inside the cab. Have you jumped up and down on your rear bumper? On your hood (don’t recommend that)?

 

I have. It is definitely coming from the front drivers side wheel well.

 

In that case, I do not know. Creaking OME leaf springs is a hot topic on here, so I made an assumption.

 

So a couple years ago I ran into a similar problem with my UCA bushings. It's possible I overtightened the bolt. I discovered problem by removing wheel, pooping off UCA Ball joint and discovered UCA was very stiff. Let me look for pictures or see if I can find my old thread...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stiff-ucas-solved.549979/

 

Lower shock bolt loose or whooped bushing? Did you put truck Back on the ground before you tightened the bolts so bushings are not preloaded/rotated. Ball joint could be dry/shot too.

 

Unfortunately, the weird noise threads rarely lead to an answer. If you installed it yourself, you could dissemble it and inspect all the parts for wear and lubrication. I don’t think IFS normally creaks unless you have those long travel kits that are not protected from the elements and require constant maintenance

 

Can also try disconnecting and removing your sway bar and then rule that out.

Take a long 2x4 and place it under the tire, and lower the vehicle so that its just above the 2x4 and leverage it up and down and listen for the noise.

Swap your front shocks and see if the noise moves to the other side.

 

@kbourg1 Were you ever able to find out what was causing the creaking? I just had 5100s and OME 884s installed today with an Icon RXT AAL in the rear. I having the same issue as you've described. Fortunately the owner of the shop is super nice and has offered to give it a look tomorrow.

 

Might not have anything to do with lift. You can be rubbing metal somewhere up front. Happens to some people at stock height

 

What's weird is JBA control arms require higher temp grease, moly lithium. I pump that into all the fittings, the squeak will disappear for a week but always comes back sooner than every other oil change.