Help with suspension sound after SS 1.2 Lift

[manualdr5]

Hey Guys,

I finished installing the SS 1.2 lift over a week ago, I also replaced the lower ball joints with new bolts, outer tie rod ends, UCA bushings with strong flex poly bushings and replaced the sway bar and steering rack bushings with energy suspension poly bushings.

After completing the lift I took it for a spin and began hearing a sound. I took it to my buddies shop where I got the alignment hoping maybe that might be the issue. No change in the sound and we didn't have much time to troubleshoot further.

Its hard to describe the sound, its not a clunk or a squeak. I was able to reproduce the sound by yanking on the parking brake cable above the rear diff and the sound it makes while hitting the bottom of the truck is what we're hearing.

I thought it maybe it was the front sway bar links, even though I installed new bushings, so I removed them but no change.

I'm able to reproduce the issue while at a stand still by lurching forward quickly. However It's hard to produce it again by lurching forward. I would have to either lurch backwards or brake somewhat hard to get it to make the sound again. It's almost like it sets in place when I go forward and if I break the momentum abruptly it takes whatever out of place.

A bit more background, I had to replaced the top hat on the 2.5 Radflo coilover because I broke a stud. I got a new top hat and put it back like the old one. Since it feels like the sound is coming from the front drivers side where that coilover was installed my next step will be to swap coilovers between drivers and passenger to see if that sound travels to the passenger side. Thats all I got for now would love to hear any further suggestions, thanks!

 

[Tyler James Inc]

Did you use a torque wrench to tighten your UCA bolts?

 

[manualdr5]

Did you use a torque wrench to tighten your UCA bolts?

If I remember correctly I didnt have much space to get the torque wrench enough room to ratchet. I'll double check and maybe torque it with the wheel off, thanks.

 

[Coward]

My stock UCA was worn out and did the same thing. 'Popped" whenever I stopped. They were stock arms and bushings with 350,ooo miles though. New UCA cured the issue.

Did you installed the little bracket the moves the parking brake cable?
Did you happen to do brake pads at the same time? Pads shifting in the caliper could cause a noise. So could a loose caliper. Or even a loose wheel although that would be very noticeable.

 

[manualdr5]

Hey Coward,

You described it as a "pop" and thats exactly it. I'm gonna go a torque down the UCA to spec with the wheel off and see what happens.

I did install the extended emergency brake line bracket from SS and also the extended braided brake line and custom rear sway bar link brackets.

Didnt touch the brake pads or calipers. The "popping" sound was also happening on my old wheels, which I changed a few days after completing the lift.

 

[Coward]

Hey Coward,

You described it as a "pop" and thats exactly it. I'm gonna go a torque down the UCA to spec with the wheel off and see what happens.

I did install the extended emergency brake line bracket from SS and also the extended braided brake line and custom rear sway bar link brackets.

Didnt touch the brake pads or calipers. The "popping" sound was also happening on my old wheels, which I changed a few days after completing the lift.

I could literally move the UCA forward or back with a pry bar is how I figured out my noise. With the tire on and the truck on the ground. If your new bushings are installed correctly and tight they should not have play back and forth.

 

[manualdr5]

Ya just checked my UCA's and they're at 87 ft\lb and no play whatsoever. Im sure its something simple, maybe something to do with the steering rack?

 

[manualdr5]

Front skid plate

So after getting my SRQ Fabrications skid plate installed which was a tight fit because if the 1inch diff drop, the popping sounds I was experiencing earlier have drastically reduced!

When I say the skid plate is tight, its basically up against the front diff.

Trying to understand what the skid plate has done to reduce the noise, anyone?

 

[manualdr5]

Finally resolved my issue!

After months of guessing I finally figured out that the clank was coming from my drivers side rear lower control arm! Had the bolt torqued down to spec and voila no more noise!

 

[Coward]

After months of guessing I finally figured out that the clank was coming from my drivers side rear lower control arm! Had the bolt torqued down to spec and voila no more noise!

It is the small victories in life that mean the most.