Front end squeak, back from the dead

[BPeavey]

I thought I was hearing a ghost. I sold my old 2001 QC 4X4 solely because of a squeak in my front end that I just could not fix. I tried everything to track down that squeak. I had it at the dealership at least 10 times, they couldn't fix it even after I offered $500 cash to the man who could find the source of the noise. It was most noticeable going over uneven bumps like a dirt road, it was more of a chirping than a squeak. I bought a 2004. 5 2500 QC 4X4 and now have the identical noise. I couldn't believe it when I heard it. I checked the lower shock mounts, and brought it to the shop to check the ball joints. All I got was the typical, "Tech unable to duplicate complaint, front end components all within factory specs. " Obviously, I'm on my own again. This must be a fairly common problem. The truck only has 25K easy miles. Any ideas whatsoever? anybody have a similar problem? If I can't fix it by the end of the month, this truck is gonna have to go.

 

[rbattelle]

Look at what's common between the two trucks. You're one thing - any chance the noise is in your ear? Do you wear hearing aids, or have some other ear problems that might produce a "squeek" over hard bumps?

The front ends on the 2001 and 2004. 5 are quite different. What have you installed on both trucks?

Ryan

 

[BPeavey]

My first truck was bone stock, my new truck has a few engine mods and 35" tires on stock suspension/wheels. My wife hears the noise and she's demanding I get rid of the truck and buy a Chevy. She remembers when I was working on my old truck non-stop for weeks. I took a week off of work to take apart my entire front clip. I started looking at Chevy's, but I just can't do it I love the Cummins.

 

[TomBrady]

I have the same noise coming from the right side of my 04. 5 2500QC 4x4 with 38,000 mi. Goes away after spraying penetrating oil on right side linkage. I think it is the rubber bushings on bottom shock mount. Noise is most noticeable after suspension has been working during freeway driving. Open to suggestions.

 

[BPeavey]

Hmm... I noticed also that the noise is more pronounced after driving for a little while. I'm going to try to isolate the noise using wd-40 and go from there. I might just use this as my excuse to buy a Kore suspension.

 

[DennyDay]

Did anybody loosen the body mount under the right cab, put some grease on the donut and re-torque it?



Denny

 

[BPeavey]

Did anybody loosen the body mount under the right cab, put some grease on the donut and re-torque it?



Denny

That's an idea I haven't tried yet. My truck's at work right now, but I will try in the morning.

 

[BPeavey]

That's an idea I haven't tried yet. My truck's at work right now, but I will try in the morning.

Well, I greased my donut today. When I took the bolt out, I noticed a good bit of moisture coming from inside the donut maybe that's a factor? Anyway, I drove the truck around and so far so good. I'm going to drive it down a dirt road later today and see if the noise is indeed gone. Good tip by the way, I hadn't considered the cab to frame mounts.

 

[JMartynowski]

Buy a chebby?
I'd live with a thousand squeak's before I did somthing as silly as that!

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I had a truck with the same problem, I torqued the cr@p out of the lower shock mounts, and the noise went away. The problem with this is that it can make it very difficult to later remove and reinstall new shocks.



On my '98 had the squeak/chirp, and through the use of spray lubricant I found it was from the lower shock mount again. After the lubricant wore off and the squeaking returned, I removed the front shocks and gave the bushings a liberal coating of grease and put it all back together again. The noise never came back, and the shocks were easily replaced 35k miles later.



Try greasing the lower shock mounts, and I'll bet that your problem may be solved.



Now if I could figure out why my brakes are squeaking.

 

[TomBrady]

Thanks for the tip on the shock mounts. I'll try it tomorrow evening.

 

[BPeavey]

Well, I greased my donut today. When I took the bolt out, I noticed a good bit of moisture coming from inside the donut maybe that's a factor? Anyway, I drove the truck around and so far so good. I'm going to drive it down a dirt road later today and see if the noise is indeed gone. Good tip by the way, I hadn't considered the cab to frame mounts.

During my "Test Drive" the noise was back in full effect. I shut the truck off while going down the dirt road so I wouldn't have to hear over the engine. I was so frustrated, I popped the hood while the truck was still moving and the noise stopped. I did it a few times, and sure enough... the hood bumpers were just a little loose and that racket was coming from my hood. I adjusted them so the hood would close more tightly. I would have sworn it was from underneath my truck. Thanks for all the ideas, I'm sure they'll come in handy as time goes on.

Ben