Help identify suspension noise - 2017 Sierra

99Mastercraft · December 27, 2018

Guys,

I have a 2017 GMC Sierra All terrain with 50k miles. I have developed a noise i hear when traveling slow and going over bumps or when the rear is put on uneven ground it seems like. The noise is either coming from the rear or center bottom of truck... almost like a light clunk or pop

I searched and found some threads about bad rancho shocks, today I installed Bilstein 5100 series shocks on the rear and the noise subsided a little it seems like, & the ride quality feels better.. HOWEVER I still hear this noise.

Is it the leaf springs? Do these trucks have bushings that wear? Could it be the rear end?

I read something about some special lubricant for GM leaf springs.. Anybody have a part number? Where do you apply the lubricant?

This noise is driving me nuts...

Any help is greatly appreciated

Hillwood · December 27, 2018

The leaf spring noise is usually on new low mileage vehicles.. You can try jacking up the rear and put grease between the leaves..
Check the box mount bolts.. I have seen some come loose and the box moves making noise.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

99Mastercraft · December 27, 2018

3 hours ago, Hillwood said:

The leaf spring noise is usually on new low mileage vehicles.. You can try jacking up the rear and put grease between the leaves..
Check the box mount bolts.. I have seen some come loose and the box moves making noise.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

What do you mean box mount bolts?

wforrest08 · December 27, 2018

Here’s the Google search on this forum for the leaf spring noise. Probably a hundred threads and a thousand posts.

https://www.google.com/search?q=2015+silverado+leaf+spring+noise+site:www.gm-trucks.com&prmd=svin&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1msLgwsDfAhXJzIMKHehWAx0QrQIoBDAAegQIBRAV&biw=834&bih=1010&dpr=2#ip=1

Stand in front of either rear wheel well and push the box side back-and-forth if this reproduces the noise it’s the springs.

Here’s the “fixes”

1. live with it. seems the most common solution & cheapest. also my choice for my 015 that’s had the cluck since 015.

2. Clean and hose springs with choice for sprays everything from used oil, WD40, Fluid Film, silicon, ect. Last from hours to forever.

3. Rubber/plastic cut to fit between the leaves where they “rub” lasts months, year, forever. probably what I’ll do eventually with rubber there’s a thread on here somewhere with instructions.

4. Replace springs and/or ubolts. lasts days,weeks,years,forever. 2nd most expensive option.

5. Trade truck for competitors truck of choice and deal with their problems instead of these problems. most expensive option.

Edited December 27, 2018 by wforrest08

Hillwood · December 28, 2018

What do you mean box mount bolts?

The bolts that hold the box to the frame.. Look under the box..

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

99Mastercraft · December 28, 2018

I will check it out.. Yeah I couldn’t find all of those threads so i will sort through them.. Thanks

i definitely feel like this “pop” is coming from the rear end, but I guess it could be the leaf springs.

I might consider replacing the springs, that’s how bad this is bothering me.. any recommendations? I won’t be using GM stuff

mityike · December 28, 2018

I had / have the same noise issues. First it was the stock springs making a squeak / slapping noise, and then I replaced them with 4" BDS springs. Now, after about 30k miles it sounds like the bed is falling off every time you hit a bump. I'm replacing the rear shocks with fox 2.0 and will check the bed bolts. Definitely sounds like something isn't tight.

99Mastercraft · February 3, 2019

On 12/28/2018 at 2:48 PM, mityike said:

I had / have the same noise issues. First it was the stock springs making a squeak / slapping noise, and then I replaced them with 4" BDS springs. Now, after about 30k miles it sounds like the bed is falling off every time you hit a bump. I'm replacing the rear shocks with fox 2.0 and will check the bed bolts. Definitely sounds like something isn't tight.

I replaced the rear shocks with bilstein shocks. My truck is making this god awful noise. I can’t handle this shit anymore. $40k trucks don’t make this noise. I have bought waterproof grease to lube the leaf springs, nothing makes a difference. It sounds like something is going to fall off.. shocks didn’t fix it

99Mastercraft · March 21, 2019

Just wanted to give an update.. I reached out to Chevy via social media.. I ended up going to a dealer. I was out of bumper to bumper warranty and they waived the diagnostic fee.. I can’t say enough about the service I received from RICE Buick GMC...

they diagnosed my suspension noise to be the rear shackles needed to be replaced... I had to pay a little out of pocket but they ran the calculator and assisted a lot.

I drove the truck and it drives like a 2 year old truck should, no noises, no creaking, no popping.. feels solid

L86 All Terrain · March 21, 2019

The shackles had to be replaced? That seems very odd to me. Did your invoice say why? Hard to see a suspension shackle wearing out on a new truck like that so fast, even bushings. I have never done a shackle or leaf bushings on a truck newer than 8 years and we are in salt or oil year round.

99Mastercraft · May 25, 2019

On 3/21/2019 at 2:00 PM, L86 All Terrain said:

The shackles had to be replaced? That seems very odd to me. Did your invoice say why? Hard to see a suspension shackle wearing out on a new truck like that so fast, even bushings. I have never done a shackle or leaf bushings on a truck newer than 8 years and we are in salt or oil year round.

No clue man... but I will give an update. Less than 1500 miles later, the noise has returned and it’s just as bad as before. Back to the dealership Monday... very frustrating

Jaychevy81 · May 25, 2019

My truck is going in tues for the same issue clunking when backing over the driveway apron or on right hand turns.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

royalkangaroo · May 25, 2019

Sounds like the notorious leaf spring issue to me. Mine was really bad at 15k miles, dealership greased the leaf springs. Noise was completely gone for about a year. Last year I tried putting rubber strips in where the pads are on the ends. Took care of the noise but they eventually squeezed out after use. I continually grease them, it’s messy and annoying but takes care of 90% of the noise.

Gagliano7 · June 6, 2019

The one good thing about greasing them it will keep than from rusting.

Ecduzit · December 30, 2020

Owner of a 2017 GMC 1500 SLT. I too have the same noise as I had shook my bed side ways the noise came from the passenger rear wheel - I checked the shackle bolt nuts and found 2 that I retightened given each at least a full turn and a half but that didn’t help bed bolts sounds like they need to be checked- factory shocks look great with 30,000 miles on them - pretty bad even the GMC DEALERSHIP don’t know or don’t want to own up to the problem ~ sure is a good way to disown life time GMC customers