squeek in shocks?

[TowPro]

While towing yesterday (400 mile trip) we started to get a real bad squeak out of the back end of the truck anytime it moves up or down. I stopped in a farm market, while the wife was in buying "stuff" I checked it out. when the 5th wheel is loaded, and you bounce the rear end of the truck it squeaks.

Unload the 5the wheel and bounce it there is no squeak.



I pulled the hitch apart and lubed all the pivot points, no problems found in hitch, hooked 5er back up and squeak is back. I got my wife and daughter to bounce the truck while I was underneath it, squeak is much louder underneath.



I have those larger helper spring pads, so I put some lube between then and the springs, still squeaks. Now that I am at the campground (for 10 days) I guess I got to pull each rear shock and see if that is what is making the noise. It seems it only squeaks when the truck is lowered by the weight of the camper.



7000 miles and the factory shocks are already shot. Well, they felt like junk brand new so its not getting a warrantee shock. Sure hope those bilsteans are out now!



Sure hope I make it home without the shock seizing up!

 

[TowPro]

Great, I called Bilstein. 06 3500 2wd is not even "in development" for this shock.



She did throw around some numbers BE5C603HO and BE5C605HO but I forget what she said they fit. (02-05 3500?)



She also said "I can't tell you that the 6681H5 and 647H1 will fit, because they are for the 03-05 2500 SRW". She also said "if you put the wrong shock on your truck, we will not honer the warrantee.



What is different between the 05 and 06 3500's in the rear suspension dept?

Keep in mine, this is a TWO WHEEL DRIVE. I know lots of information is out there for the 4wd, but it don't help.



My only mod is I have the 2 5/8" helper spring bushings (which really make a big difference when the 5er is loaded!!!!)

 

[Cattletrkr]

Mine's been doing this lately. I haven't gotten underneath to check it out yet. Might be totally different than yours though 'cause I've got two extra leafs and two EXTRA overloads (4 overloads) plus airbags. Makes for an impressive stack. I've never thought about it being the shocks. Mines sounds like a metal on metal squeak. More noticeable with lighter loads. Probably 'cause it can move then. :-laf