Help with Front suspension noise (videos)

Thanks Nick, yea that's the last resort. I'm getting some body creaking when flexing but that's the last of 2 other noises. I got the Blower motor click / chirp. The windshield kazoo noise on windy days on the hwy. These are all just annoyances and I pretty much know the fixes for those. In the big picture this truck is still great. It drives good and has never let me down but these noises bug me to say the least. What was the diag on the creaking? Nick you are the resident expert IMO because I think you have more intimate knowledge on these trucks then anyone here. That's why I reach out to you. Now if I can just figure this out I'll be happy. I just ordered some hardware to assemble my OEM front shocks to try.
"She only creaks and groans when I'm really putting it to her" The quote for the day LOL

 

Thanks Curt. I like to understand how things work and am good with details. But I'm very new to our truck suspensions and diagnosing these things through forum can be difficult. I think best to use process of elimination.

See this post here which shows the LCA bushing making a similar noise to yours.

The creaking noise on my truck was solved by spraying penetrating oil into the pinch weld as illustrated in this post here.

 

That's the thing in all the pics and videos showing bad LCA bushing they look horrible and corroded! I have none of that corrosion - But that doesn't mean they aren't bad. The noise sounds different too. I will address / replace them if I don't find anything else. I need to get better shots of them.
If I do decide to replace them I need to find a good used set of LCA's to rebuild before taking it apart. Looks like replacing the bushings can be a PITA. Thanks again.

 

I have the exact same noise/problem as you. I have an OME lift with Bilstein 5100s on the front. I recently had the UCA bushings replaced and the LCAs. Noise went away for a few weeks and now it is back and getting worse... so, likely a loose bolt somewhere or worse?

 

Yea if the noise was gone then it seems that fixed it. As you said hopefully it's just something loose.

 

Okay so I'm happy to say I fixed it. I got new top hats, bushings and washers and put in my OEM shocks. I added a 3/4" poly preload spacer (goes in place of the isolator = 1" lift) Then a 1/2" top plate spacer (1/4" on passenger side) to at least give some lift in it. Now it is quiet and smooth again. I'm super stoked that's what it was. It actually rides pretty good seeing as the shocks only had about 4K mi on them when I replaced them with 5100's. Also because I only used small spacers split between preload and top. I lost about 3/4" of lift. I went from 2.5" to 1.75". It's really only a temp solution as I will get another set of 5100's or maybe shell out some $$$ and get some Icons or Fox coilovers? Loving the quiet cush again. I went over the infamous dip that always caused a clank the last year or so 6 times and it never made a sound just cushhhhhhh! Love it. Now I have to go back for alignment #4 on my lifetime policy. Highly recommend that for anyone that wheels and mods their rig.

 

Glad you made a change and solved it. I read your description, but I'm not sure I understand exactly what it was... Was it the bushings /tophat making noise or the 5100? Did you use the same coil?

 

I guess I wasn't too clear. Basically what's in there now is the OEM shock assembly with new hardware. Since the Top Hats, bushings and hardware looked good with no obvious damage I'm guessing it's the shocks themselves unless somehow the springs were shifting or something? The springs looked good too. When I compress the 5100's manually they seem ok. Weird but that's why I think I'm just going to drive it like this for awhile while I contemplate what shocks I'll go with next. I'll just take it kinda easy on the stockers when offroading. Thanks

 

Thanks. Glad you got it solved

 

Hey so I'm getting the same noise, especially at the 1:50 mark on the first video, and it's really only when turning up or down an incline or turning and hitting a dip while moving. I'm running TRD Baja suspension, which is still Bilstein. I'm wondering after you removed your Bilsteins did you see anything wrong with your upper strut mounts at all? Are you still noise free?

 

I'm having the same clunk noise on dips, bumps, and at full lock turn. I think it must have something to do with the bilstein 5100 seat clip or the tophat. The shock itself doesn't make clunk noise.