clunking noise in the rear end

Bonniem · Mar 21, 2021

Hello, this question is to all suspension experts do you guys have any idea about this clunking noise, I have checked every bolts and nuts, all bushings looks good. Mechanic lifted the truck and didn't find any visual damaged parts. I suspected bad shocks, here is link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m52SF2ZA47U&feature=youtu.be

ahtoxa11 · Mar 21, 2021

Shock is a likely culprit if hardware has been checked for tightness. I’m assuming sway at links and bushings were checked?

There is honestly not much back there to make noise. Sway bar and shocks are 90% of cases with similar noises.

Bonniem · Mar 21, 2021

I guess the only way to find out is to replace rear shocks, I only drove 15000 miles on them. Not sure if I want to go with the same brand.

ahtoxa11 · Mar 21, 2021

If the mechanic you took it to could not find it, take it to another mechanic, honestly. In the video it seems to make a repeatable noise so it should not be that hard to pout out.

Kamalani Mahie · Mar 22, 2021

ahtoxa11 said:
If the mechanic you took it to could not find it, take it to another mechanic, honestly. In the video it seems to make a repeatable noise so it should not be that hard to pout out.

What he said. Lift it up and have them cycle the rear axle/suspension to try to isolate the noise. Sounds like a loose bolt somewhere, exhaust possibly, or a rock/something rattling in a skid plate. Idk what could be back there though.

Teamoatmealpie · Mar 22, 2021

I had a similar sound 2x - one was loose shock bolt, the other the poly bushing on the shock mount loop disintegrated.

Probably not it since your vid picks up the sound pretty well but make sure rear tailgate is latching properly. You can wrap some tape around the latch loop to take up any slack then test drive. Loose hatch can make surprising amount of noise.

The clunks are highly annoying - hope you get it sorted.

DougR · Mar 22, 2021

If I were you, I would remove one rear shock, go for a test drive, note any noise difference, remove other rear shock, go for another test drive and note if the noise disappears either with the first or second shock. Inspect upper and lower bushings after removing each shock absorber.

fkheath · Mar 22, 2021

In the video, it shows you have the KDSS suspension. Check that KDSS actuator on on the sway bar.

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

Identified the problem, so now what I replace it with any recommendations?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGlROLvIzl4&feature=youtu.be

Jivewalker · Mar 22, 2021

Bonniem said:
Identified the problem, so now what I replace it with any recommendations?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGlROLvIzl4&feature=youtu.be

Since my stocks lasted me 140k, I went back with stocks. Think I paid about $30 each online for OEM Tokico's. Did all 4 myself in my driveway. Fronts can be a little tricky. There is a write up on here somewhere on how to do them with a couple floor jacks.

DougR · Mar 22, 2021

Steel sleeve in the lower bushing is slightly under tolerance or the mounting bolt bottomed out. If you like the rear shocks or you need to keep them for awhile until you decide what to do, then remove the lower bolt, and add a thin washer to take up the loose tolerance. Check for something that binds the bolt threads, or bottoms out the bolt making you think it's tight. If you have a micrometer, measure length of the steel sleeve. My old stock sleeve measures 1.786 ins. Also measure length of bolt shank. Something is out of spec or the mounting bolt bottomed out on debris. Discover the root cause before installing new shocks.

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

My truck is not stock, I have to go with other option.

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

My rear shock are Bilstein 5100 Series, not sure if i want to go with the same one, it lasted 15k at least one.

DougR · Mar 22, 2021

Bonniem said:
My truck is not stock, I have to go with other option.

The length of the lower bushing sleeve has to be the same as a stock shock because your shock uses the same mounting hardware.

If your shock has been loose for a long time, there's a chance the mounting hardware (bolt or bracket) is now worn and you may have the same issue with any set of new shocks.

If the noise is coming from one side only, then compare measurements of one side to the other. A short bushing sleeve on the noisy side coupled with minimal wear everywhere else identifies the root cause and offers you two options, (1) add a thin washer or (2) replace the shocks. I would add a thin washer to the noisy side.

If all dimensions are good, then it's likely the mounting bolt doesn't bear tightly against the bushing sleeve. You'll have the same issue with any brand of new shocks.

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

DougR said:
The length of the lower bushing sleeve has to be the same as a stock shock because your shock uses the same mounting hardware.

If your shock has been loose for a long time, there's a chance the mounting hardware (bolt or bracket) is now worn and you may have the same issue with any set of new shocks.

If the noise is coming from one side only, then compare measurements of one side to the other. A short bushing sleeve on the noisy side coupled with minimal wear everywhere else identifies the root cause and offers you two options, (1) add a thin washer or (2) replace the shocks. I would add a thin washer to the noisy side.

If all dimensions are good, then it's likely the mounting bolt doesn't bear tightly against the bushing sleeve. You'll have the same issue with any brand of new shocks.

Thank you

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

If the bolt worn out, I can replace it. but what if the bracket

DougR · Mar 22, 2021

Bonniem said:
If the bolt worn out, I can replace it. but what if the bracket

If the bracket is slightly worn and the bearing surface still smooth, consider taking up the slack using a thin washer on the bolt head side. First step, identify what part(s) are either worn and/or out of spec. Then decide the best means to repair. What is the gap? 0.010 ins? 0.020 ins? More? One side? Both sides? Must also verify bolt and bracket threads are still OK.

Bonniem · Mar 22, 2021

Got it, Thanks again.

Bonniem · Mar 24, 2021

DougR said:
The length of the lower bushing sleeve has to be the same as a stock shock because your shock uses the same mounting hardware.

If your shock has been loose for a long time, there's a chance the mounting hardware (bolt or bracket) is now worn and you may have the same issue with any set of new shocks.

If the noise is coming from one side only, then compare measurements of one side to the other. A short bushing sleeve on the noisy side coupled with minimal wear everywhere else identifies the root cause and offers you two options, (1) add a thin washer or (2) replace the shocks. I would add a thin washer to the noisy side.

If all dimensions are good, then it's likely the mounting bolt doesn't bear tightly against the bushing sleeve. You'll have the same issue with any brand of new shocks.

DougR what do you think, the numbers are pretty much the same. While removing the shocks i noticed they were over tighten. I didn’t use a washer as you suggest could not find the right size. Will do it on the weekend. But still should I go with washer or go with full shocks replacement.

Bonniem · Mar 24, 2021

Nice what? Bad shocks or numbers

)

clunking noise in the rear end

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