Can Dirt Cause These Noises??

Hey all, I went wheelin' with the TW boys on our trip out to Ocotillo Wells, CA last weekend. Lots of fine sand, gravel, and dust on the trip. Now I'm at my wits end with these two problems on my truck after this trip.

Noise 1: After getting back in town, I'm hearing all kinds of scrapes and squeaks from my brakes towards the end of the pedal, when I'm coming to a full stop. I can't hear it when just normally slowing down to merge or whatnot, only around 15mph and under when coming to a complete stop. The sounds seems to get louder the harder I depress the pedal.

Noise 2: I'm waiting for my lift (Coilovers and Dakar Leaf Pack), so currently running a crappy Pro Comp leveling kit (2.25" spacers ) just so I can turn the 33" tires in the meantime. I didn't do any crazy off-roading, mostly just moderate driving in some washes/dunes and climbing the occasional volleyball sized rock along the trail at low speed. Did not hit any potholes or anything that alerted my attention to check the suspension components. For some reason, anytime I compress the front driver's suspension rapidly (speed bump, driveway, pothole) I get a clunking sound like two metal pipes striking each other. Slowly compressing the suspension does not cause any sound, only when it hits quickly. Passenger side makes no noise.

Any ideas? I've checked for any damage or clean spots that look like they've been hit but can't find anything that catches my eye. I can't imagine the spacer causing this...but I didn't want to rule it out. This lift will be gone very soon, but I want to make sure I haven't screwed up any of the other suspension parts.

Thanks in advance.

 

springs bottoming out up front as in overextending on the rebound? with the spacers in your coils it might cause that, all the extra tension on the coils.

 

I don't think so, because the spacers are on top of the strut/coil assembly. They are not spring integrated spacers.

 

well thats even worse. that will cause EVERYTHING to bottom out. your upper AND lower control arms, steering arms, 4x4 axles.

"Top plate spacers a a great idea"...said no one ever.

Do your truck a favor and ditch those things asap.

 

I understand they're the world's worst idea short of a body lift, but the kind of driving I was doing off-road was milder than what some people drive through to get to their garage everyday. I know they're crap, I knew they were crap before I bought them...but I was out of money and needed to drive my truck to work everyday without chewing up my fender lining and possibly causing an accident. I know plenty of people who exclusively drive on the street and have never had a problem with their spacers, so it can't be because of that. I'm smarter than to do any kind of real wheelin' with a spacer lift.

I'm just wondering if anybody has gotten a noise out of their stock suspension because of excessive dust or dirt.

And if you read my original post, it says that I'm waiting on coilovers and dakar leaf packs. Will be adding UCA's shortly thereafter.

 

sorry, the only noises ive gotten out of mine from dirt is in the leaf pack. I have to srpay them down with WD40 once a month or so. they squeak very bad.

 

I know the leafs have this problem, oddly enough mine don't make any noises.

Any other ideas?

 

you have sand trapped in your rear drums.....
up front could be a number of things.......
check over entire front end for loseness

 

OK that sheds some light on the brake noise...how the hell do I get it out? I've never owned a vehicle with drum brakes.