Metal on Metal Creak

Hi Taco World,

I recently went offroading on a very mild trail. Washboard roads, mild potholes, some alternating whoops. I'm fairly familiar with offroading and am very conservative about how I drive my truck offroad. On my way back through this trail it seemed like as it articulated on some small holes there was a metal on metal creak. It sounded like a 30 year old truck going through this stuff.

Facts:

1. Have not tightened the rear U-bolts yet, not sure if that would be the cause

2. It was wet outside, the truck was coated in a light layer of mud

3. Truck has 900 miles

4. Only started happening on the return side of the trip (total 1.5 hours)

5. Mild off road trail - 2wd trucks were on the trail

6. I was in 4WD due to some side trails we took

Once I got back on the road, of course, I cannot duplicate. The creak seemed to happen when both front and rear were articulating. I thought it was coming from the front, my wife said she heard it from the rear, so no idea really.

Any thoughts? Anyone else experience this?

 

Toyota FJ60 Land Cruiser's never squeak or creak and they are 30 year old rigs.

 

Funny enough, I found a good example. At 1:09-012 this is the exact creak I am talking about.

<iframe width="500" height="300" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BvruxIptc5I" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

This is "normal" (i.e. happens with

$90 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma With 4L Right Petrol intake air snorkel kit high performance system compatible kit Replacement black Rotational Molding (2005-2015)

2005-2015 trucks too with suspension articulation). Not sure if it's the leaf springs rubbing against one another, or rubber bushings flexing. Doesn't seem to to affect durability in anyway.

Good to see your wife enjoying off-roading.

 

Dust/Mud in the bushings is my theory on this.

 

Bushing letting go or shackle bind is mine.

 

Ya it's nice having a good spotter and off road buddy!! Just gotta get out more.

 

was it the truck in the video or the one filming? I only ask because the one in the video does not have nerf bars installed. I had a similar creak that I eventually traced to my n-fab nerf bars.

 

I get this more on my passenger side front when going up a bank. I recently got a lift installed but honestly could have done the same stock and I wouldn’t know. Sounds like it’s somewhat normal. Did you ever look into it more?

 

Front cab mount bushing?

 

3rd gens aren’t meant for this. Just get a second gen homie