Hey, guys. We all know about the creaking/popping crossmember and that there exists a TSB on how to fix it. I have this TSB and have read it.

I did some work to it two nights ago to try to fix the sound. Mainly, you must let everything rest loose and free, then retighten everything in an exact, specific order/pattern.

I did all this and my problem still exists.

The TSB suggests purchasing new nuts and bolts. This is the one step I did not want to do if I didn't have to.

But I've read here on the board that people have replaced the bolts.

So I want to know if this recourse is necessary and specifically why new bolts must be purchased. What do they do?

NJK

 

I loosened the cross member bolts from the frame and put a thin piece of rubber sheeting between the crossmember and frame and have not had a problem since. It was driving me crazy!!!!


Tom

 

I had the problem on my 92 F150. It turns out that there was a single bolt in the center of each end of the crossmember. The bolt was tight, but upon closer inspection, I found a very small crack in the cross member just under the bolt. In fact, I believe I had to take the bolt out to see the crack. It was a circular crack, following the bolt head (or nut, whichever, I don't remember).
To solve the problem, I placed a large thick washer under the bolt head to reach over the crack. Then, I drilled another hole towards the edge of the crossmember and installed another bolt. That solved my problem.

I really believe the problem was designed in by using only one bolt in the center, instead or two bolts - one on each side.

Winford

 

Yo. I just cut up a placemat (that you put plates on during supper) and used that as my rubber shims. I put them on every metal-to-metal contact. Drove it for about four miles when I was done and not one creak or pop. ABSOLUTELY OUSTANDING IDEA. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

NJK

 

So the popping creaking was always worse when it was raining. Last night it was raining and the sound came back. And it was like someone pulled my heart out and may me stare at it before I died.

We'll see if the sound is still there when it dries up, I hope not.

For the guy that used the rubber shims: How thick were they? And what kind of rubber? Did you replace the bolts?

Thanks!
-NJK.

 

The frame noises go away when my truck gets wet.

 

Are you guys talking about the tranny crossmember?

 

yes

 

Do you think this could be the cause of a weird creaking noise I have on my truck? It makes the noise when slowing down from a highway speed around 45mph, it doesn't matter if I use the brakes or not and it only makes the noise for a second or two.

Cody

 

Sorry I wasnt very clear. The rubber sheet I used was about 1/4 inch thick and was pretty hard. I'm not sure what it is used for, I just had it laying around. It looks like it may be gasket material. I have had it betwween the crossmember and frame for about a year now and its still holding up.

Tom