Strange Noise From Rear Bed

For the past 2 years I've been hearing this thumping noise from the rear bed when I hit any bumps. I replaced the rear leaf springs. I tightened down the 6 bed bolts but still have this thumping sound. When I stand on the rear passenger side bed and bounce up and down...nothing...solid as a rock with no sound. When I stand on the rear of the bed on the driver's side and bounce up and down I hear the thumping noise and the bed seems to have more play in it, i.e., it moves up and down a bit more than the other side. Could it be a bad shock? Doesn't seem to bounce a lot but I am not certain about that. Anybody have any ideas? Thanks!

Vic

 

Did you check your spare tire to see if it's tight up to the frame?

 

Good question but, yes, spare is tight. I forgot to mention that.

 

You could try lifting up on each of the four corners of the bed. If one of the bolts isn't fully tightened, it could knock over a bump. If its rusted it could "feel" tight, but leave just enough gap for some play.

The bed bolts on the older 2nd gens have a tendency to back out and are prone to rust. Toyota has since upgraded to galvanized bolts, probably what they all should have had from the beginning.

 

Hmmmm. There's a thought. I'll check that out. Thanks.

 

Ha! No, he's not the source of the noise. At least, I hope not.

 

I did as you suggested and I think there's a good chance that you are correct. I'm going to have to wait until the weather improves to get at those bolts. The underside of the bed is all salt and sand and tough to work under right now. Plus we're in the middle of a blizzard in upstate NY. So it'll be a while before I can get to it.

Thanks for your help.

 

Caesar?

 

Trunk Monkey.......

 

Good deal. They can be a pain to free up though. I would be sure to start spraying penetrating lube on them for at least 3 days straight before I tried moving them. PB Blaster is good stuff for that.

I did not use penetrating spray and wish I had. I ended up cutting the head off of a stubborn one with an angle grinder after I stripped it out, then broke the piece that it treaded into off. I was able to go to Grainger and match the factory replacement bolt with a galvanized nut.

Before I stripped it I tried the impact gun and a two foot breaker bar to no avail. So be sure to lube it up and let it soak for a week if possible.