Leaf Spring Noise

Chad2815 · July 31, 2019

They look the same to me except for minor changes on the mounts. They are a different part number, I am dropping mine off Friday for the second time to try to fix this. I am going to take a magnet to see if a portion of them are composite. Hopefully they will throw a set of the 19s on mine to see if it helps.

Mileguru · August 2, 2019

So has the rubber bike inner tube proven to be the best fix?

DaddyHasABigTruck · August 2, 2019

Figured I would share what has worked for me so far -

I was getting very bad clunking noises like everyone - especially when backing up in my driveway. Going around turns and uneven surfaces etc. owned truck since new has 37k miles. Started getting louder around 35k miles.

I replaced my front / rear shocks with Bilstein 6112s and 5160s and while that did actually help the noise was still there. The ride is so very much better by the way though. Should have done this long ago.

So a couple weeks ago, on a very hot day I took some WD-40 and sprayed down the entire leaf springs, shackles, u-bolts, EVERYTHING.

I let it sit for about 3 hours. Drove it around for 5 minutes then came home and sprayed it down HEAVILY with Silicon lubricant with Teflon.

Let it sit overnight and literally sound went away over the next day of driving it. Just normal truck sounds.

It’s only been two weeks but we shall see how this goes.

Chad2815 · August 4, 2019

Well the “rep” refused to put 19 leafs on mine. They performed the procedure per the bulletin. Made the same noise before I got out of the parking lot, pretty incredible.

Cupton · August 5, 2019

Just picked up my truck from the dealer. They lubricated the springs per the TSB and replaced the U-Bolts, plates, nuts and washers. As of now, the noise and clunk is gone. We'll see if she holds.

bdm62987 · August 5, 2019

5 minutes ago, Cupton said:

Just picked up my truck from the dealer. They lubricated the springs per the TSB and replaced the U-Bolts, plates, nuts and washers. As of now, the noise and clunk is gone. We'll see if she holds.

Have no fear it will return haha

spizike9 · August 6, 2019

On 8/3/2019 at 7:19 PM, Chad2815 said:

Well the “rep” refused to put 19 leafs on mine. They performed the procedure per the bulletin. Made the same noise before I got out of the parking lot, pretty incredible.

They claimed they fixed my issue back in April on my ‘18 Sierra SLT. Just like you it made noise before I left the parking lot. When I took it in for service I told them again about the problem and I would really like to get it fixed. They told me this time GM Is aware of the issue and there isn’t a fix and GM doesn’t have an ETA on the Fix. My family has been GM their entire lives but I really think I’m about ready to be done with GM. I called corporate GM today and a senior advisor should be calling me in a couple days. I was looking forward to getting an AT4 or Trail Boss next year around this time but I just don’t know if I can do it now.

spizike9 · August 6, 2019

On 8/1/2019 at 8:42 PM, DaddyHasABigTruck said:

Figured I would share what has worked for me so far -

I was getting very bad clunking noises like everyone - especially when backing up in my driveway. Going around turns and uneven surfaces etc. owned truck since new has 37k miles. Started getting louder around 35k miles.

I replaced my front / rear shocks with Bilstein 6112s and 5160s and while that did actually help the noise was still there. The ride is so very much better by the way though. Should have done this long ago.

So a couple weeks ago, on a very hot day I took some WD-40 and sprayed down the entire leaf springs, shackles, u-bolts, EVERYTHING.

I let it sit for about 3 hours. Drove it around for 5 minutes then came home and sprayed it down HEAVILY with Silicon lubricant with Teflon.

Let it sit overnight and literally sound went away over the next day of driving it. Just normal truck sounds.

It’s only been two weeks but we shall see how this goes.

I know its not your fault because your truck shouldn’t be doing this but that’s going to collect a lot of dirt, grime etc

Chad2815 · August 6, 2019

41 minutes ago, spizike9 said:

They claimed they fixed my issue back in April on my ‘18 Sierra SLT. Just like you it made noise before I left the parking lot. When I took it in for service I told them again about the problem and I would really like to get it fixed. They told me this time GM Is aware of the issue and there isn’t a fix and GM doesn’t have an ETA on the Fix. My family has been GM their entire lives but I really think I’m about ready to be done with GM. I called corporate GM today and a senior advisor should be calling me in a couple days. I was looking forward to getting an AT4 or Trail Boss next year around this time but I just don’t know if I can do it now.

Yeah my dealer actually suggested I call GM because there is nothing else they can do. GM called me back and said they cant make the district rep do anything. To which I responded well fix my truck, don’t care what you have to do but telling me there is no fix isnt going to work. Its amazing to me that they cant fix a leaf spring? All the senior advisor is going to do is call your dealer, not sure whats going to happen next. Keep me posted if you get any traction.

flyingfool · August 6, 2019

go to a spring shop and install correct rebound clips

spizike9 · August 6, 2019

6 hours ago, Chad2815 said:

Yeah my dealer actually suggested I call GM because there is nothing else they can do. GM called me back and said they cant make the district rep do anything. To which I responded well fix my truck, don’t care what you have to do but telling me there is no fix isnt going to work. Its amazing to me that they cant fix a leaf spring? All the senior advisor is going to do is call your dealer, not sure whats going to happen next. Keep me posted if you get any traction.

Good to know. My dad bought a new truck the same day I bought mine and his hasn’t had any problems. It just sucks because I don’t want to trade it in and get hosed on the trade in and I don’t think anyone in their right mind would buy it private party so essentially I’m stuck with this vehicle. I’ll update in this thread after I speak with the senior advisor.

Baytrucker · August 7, 2019

Any Canadians in this thread?

After having my truck in 6 times for this issue, and GM and my dealer pointing the finger at each other, I'm about to open a dispute with CAMVAP over this issue. Anyone have experience with this route?

Jacoby · August 7, 2019

32 minutes ago, Baytrucker said:

Any Canadians in this thread?

After having my truck in 6 times for this issue, and GM and my dealer pointing the finger at each other, I'm about to open a dispute with CAMVAP over this issue. Anyone have experience with this route?

I’m not Canadian but I have a Canadian truck

spizike9 · August 7, 2019

On 8/5/2019 at 9:52 PM, Chad2815 said:

Yeah my dealer actually suggested I call GM because there is nothing else they can do. GM called me back and said they cant make the district rep do anything. To which I responded well fix my truck, don’t care what you have to do but telling me there is no fix isnt going to work. Its amazing to me that they cant fix a leaf spring? All the senior advisor is going to do is call your dealer, not sure whats going to happen next. Keep me posted if you get any traction.

So my Senior GM Rep called me today and confirmed there’s nothing that can be done. So frustrating. Leaf springs have been around for forever and somehow GM has managed to screw those up. Pretty sure this is my last GM product.

flyingfool · August 7, 2019

you guys are better off spending $1000 for tuned rear leaf spring packs from a suspension shop. all the time you waste fighting with GM and dealerships makes no sense, shit you just spent $38,000 on the truck , what's another $1,000 in improvements.. the springs are not designed correctly but they are what they are . fix it yourself or live with it. GM cant legally admit guilt!

Edited August 7, 2019 by flyingfool