AP Expo leafs clunking

I installed some hardly used AP expo leafs. I bought them off a member here and they have about 10k miles on them.

They have all brand new bushings. I used gresable bolts, as the member I bought them off of suggested I do that. He has the same ones (http://diy4x.com/product.php?productid=17724) with a new AP Expo set.

I've greased them and just went on a 500 mile round trip drive and for the most part after I greased them the clunking was gone.

Last night we had our first real cold night and rain. When I got into the truck this morning the clunking was pretty bad. Probably worse than it has been.

My guess is the cold makes the bushing louder? Any suggestions?

 

Clunking or creaking?

 

They're no good anymore, I'll take them off your hands.

No idea why they would be making noise.

 

I dont know...louder than a creak so I guess clunking..I know it's the bushings but having this be my second taco with aftermarket leafs and bushings, my last SUA leafs with poly bushings never did this. I notice the colder they are the louder they are

 

I've always thought my AP standards made more noise after a rain. Kind of a loud grunch when taking off from a stop. But it doesn't rain much in Denver, so not too big a deal. I think the bushings are the same for both std and expo. What kind of grease did you use? Poly bushings are supposed to use synthetic grease. Energy suspension sells their own grease on Amazon. It is sticky and is not supposed to wash away. (AP springs use Energy Susp. bushings.)

 

@DaVikes I use some lithium based grease out of a grease gun. Mine makes noise when taking off from a stop as well...also when stopping, going over a bump etc..anything that makes them move. I might tear them down and grease the sleeves heavily. It's just weird my last set of leafs with poly bushings never did this

 

Odd. I've got...3-4 years on mine, never re-greased and there's no clunk that I'm aware of.

 

@Krazie Sj would over torquing them cause binding? Sound like it could and that may be what I am heading. I am wondering if that could be related. I torqued them to spec of OEM

 

Hmm, it could. But I can't see OEM spec being that much more than what All Pro asks.

 

Maybe the U-bolts aren't torqued correctly?

 

I torqued them to OEM spec. I had a friend of my jump up and down on the tail gate and I confirmed the noise is coming from the bushings. Mostly the fixed front bushings

 

The front eye bolt might be over torqued. The factory spec is for rubber bushings. I think it is 89lbs. I've read on TW somewhere that some people use lock nuts on the leaf bolts, with poly bushings, and only torque them to 20 lbs. I searched a bit, and I haven't been able to find a torque spec for poly bushings. I've looked at all pro's website and can't see it there. I don't remember seeing any instruction sheet with the leaves when they arrived. I haven't asked all pro yet, but that's my next step.

I don't know whether or not lithium grease is ok for poly bushings. Petroleum based grease will degrade them. The energy suspension grease is pretty cheap on Amazon. Less than $10.

 

psssst.. @allpro

 

Interesting. I haven't heard of this. @Tracy@All-Pro Off Road can you confirm this or give me a suggestion? Right now I have everything torqued to OEM spec

 

I'm sorry you're having this experience.
Check your springs for the pads in between each leaf, check the keepers, make sure the center bolt is tight. White lithium is the best grease to use. We don't use Energy bushings, although I know they have a part number that fits. Check the nut on the u-bolt to make sure the u-bolts are snug. If nothing works, send me pictures of the front and rear eye of the springs and I'll have Jon look at it for you.

Let me know how we can help you!

Tracy
tracy@allprooffroad.com

 

@Tracy@All-Pro Off Road, is there a torque spec for the spring eye bolts? For your springs, to be clear. Thanks