FOUND IT! Post lift clunking and knocking.

I would go with the Energy Suspension LCA bushings if I was going to replace mine.

On a similar note...I looked at my front leaf spring bushing on the driver's side and it looks like it's coming out of the leaf pack. At the time of installation I didn't have the bushing tack welded into my Dakars, and I guess I should have. I think my clunk is coming from the entire leaf pack moving, and not just the leaves shifting.

I'll probably press out the existing bushing and install some Energy Suspension leaf pack bushings in the coming weeks when I get a chance.

 

So are y'all using the

$101 8.3128R Energy Suspension 83128R Front Control Arm Bushing

8.3128R or the

$103 8.3128G Control Arm Bushing Set

8.3128G? And do you know what the difference is?

 

I don't have the ES LCA bushings...but as far as the difference between those two...R is red, G is black. That's it.

 

I'm not sure if this has been addressed, another member here on TW had some major clunking going on with his OME lift. Turns out it was the internal valving bottoming out on the front struts when cycling causing the clunking. He replaced his OME struts with Billy 5100's which have a bit more travel than the OME struts and the clunking went away.

 

I was trying to find out the same thing, seems like they would be easy to work with, and better than the rubber.

 

Seems to be good quality. Just more expensive than the energy suspension

 

Yeah! Just trying to find a forum post somewhere to see if the install is smooth/problem free for our trucks. Was going to do the control arms and rack n pinion all at once this spring. I will probably try the problem free bushings, see how it goes.

 

Keep us updated. I'm gone order the energy's next week or so and redo mine.....

 

A month or so ago I had my upper ball joints (I have Light Racing UCAs) and lower control arms and ball joints replaced. I had the clunk before the replacement and thought the ball joints were the likely culprit. One of the upper ball joints eventually separated leaving me stranded one afternoon. So after their replacement the clunk was gone, until about a week ago when I ran over some nasty washboard pavement and the clunk came back. Very infrequently it would return. Now, this week, it's nearly every bump. I can hear and feel it under my feet while driving.

From the sound of it I'm thinking bolts need re-torqued following the LCA install. I'm going to get it up on a lift tomorrow and have everything re-torqued. Anything else they should check while it's up there?

 

I have a set of the ES LCA bushings (red) if anyone in Canada is interested.

 

I know this sounds ghetto, but I'm seriously contiplating just tack welding my bushings to the LCA itself. Since the bushing is in perfect condition I hate to throw them away. All the problem is is it is sliding around in the hole, and that is what is making all the noise. What y'all think?

 

I wouldn't do that only because the bushings are notorious for going bad, and if tack welded in, you'll have to grind off the weld (or something more extreme) to replace them. Or just replace the LCAs altogether.

 

Iv thought about that also. I don't see the grinding being a serous problem. My wife's father is a metal fabricator and has 10x more tools than I have. The only issue to this method is burning up the rubber. But what do I have to loose?

 

Haha very true!

 

Sounds like you should go for it. I assume you can tack it in place without pulling the LCAs off again, which would be easier than switching to poly bushings. Then when they go, you can pull the LCAs and go poly.

I should've tacked my Dakar bushings, or just swapped them with poly ones to begin with. Ugh...hopefully I can drop the front of the leaf springs without pulling everything else apart by taking out the bolt and jacking up the frame. That's the plan to get enough clearance for a press to press out the old bushings.

Anyone know what type of grease to use on the new poly bushings? Lucas Red N Tacky OK?

 

Sounds like you have had a time! I hope once you fix the Dakar issue you are good to go.

Unfortunate I will have to take my lowers back off and press them back in the 1/8 inch. Unless I can catch them while they are pushed in. Good thing I can do each side in like 30 min flat!

 

Yup...it's been an experience, but at least I know the ins and outs of my truck's suspension now.

 

Okay, I tightened the cam bolts and lower shock mount bolt. They all needed about a 1/4 to 1/2 turn. No luck. So then I removed the swaybar thinking it was hitting the coil spring. No luck.

I've already replaced all ball joints and have new LCAs.

What to check next?

2012 4WD OME 3" lift with 5100s. 95k miles.

 

Do you by chance have Dakars?