Squeak in front right leaf spring.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
Squeak in front right leaf spring.
The squeak comes and goes. Last week while it was on the lift getting the exhaust done I had the guy help me locate the the squeak. At first I thought it was the sway bar bushings but it wasn't. It was in the leaf spring. We sprayed it with some penetrating oil and it stopped. Now this will evaporate soon and the squeak will return. But, if I use anything heavier I'm afraid it will attract dirt between the leafs. Any suggestions?
David
David
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From: Tupelo,Ms
if im not mistaken they make something to stick in between the leafs.. mine does the same thing and i just sprayed the actual bushings with white lithium grease and its help good for the past couple weeks. i evently am gonna replace the bushings at the front of the leafs. Also i think alot of it has to do with the straight axle and it bein heavy duty. alot of my sqeek i thought was coming from the leaf spring was actually coming from a loose brake caliper. a bunch of stuff that could sqeek.. hope this helps!
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Georgia
if im not mistaken they make something to stick in between the leafs.. mine does the same thing and i just sprayed the actual bushings with white lithium grease and its help good for the past couple weeks. i evently am gonna replace the bushings at the front of the leafs. Also i think alot of it has to do with the straight axle and it bein heavy duty. alot of my sqeek i thought was coming from the leaf spring was actually coming from a loose brake caliper. a bunch of stuff that could sqeek.. hope this helps!
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 476
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
That would be great if you could come up with the kit part number. I don't think continuing to spray lubricants between the leafs makes much sense.
Thanks, David
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,339
Likes: 5
From: NJ
I have the same problem on my 04, are these Teflon shims different then what comes in the truck from the factory? My squeak is from the right front spring rearward area. I sprayed some Fluid Film in there and have not heard the squeak in a month.
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 476
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
That is exactly where mine was coming from. While on the lift I was moving the truck and the tech was locating the squeak. When he put his hand on the rear of the right front spring it stopped. That is where we sprayed it and it did not squeak again but am sure it will start again so I am really interested in the teflon shims.
David
David
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From: Georgia
Hope this helps.
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Tuned
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From: Hickory, North Carolina
David
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upgraded leaf spring isolators
I just put the leaf spring isolator kit on my front leaf springs to stop the squeaking. It worked GREAT! There are 8 pieces in the kit. 1 flat piece and 1 curved piece goes on each end of each front spring. The flat piece with the "nipple" on it goes on the bottom, the piece with curve on it sits directly on top of it with the curve facing upward cupping the end of the leaf spring. You end up with the flat part of each piece laying against each other.
Two installation tips: jack the front end of the truck up and support with jackstands on the frame rails behind the leaf springs. You essentially want the front axle to "hang" to take pressure off the springs during the installation. You can then easily pry the spring leaves apart with a 3 foot crowbar to slip in the plastic pieces.
Second tip: after placing the bottom piece with the nipple down in the hole in the spring, let the pressure off the crowbar and tap the bottom side of the leaf with a hammer to work the nipple into the hole. Works like a charm.
Two installation tips: jack the front end of the truck up and support with jackstands on the frame rails behind the leaf springs. You essentially want the front axle to "hang" to take pressure off the springs during the installation. You can then easily pry the spring leaves apart with a 3 foot crowbar to slip in the plastic pieces.
Second tip: after placing the bottom piece with the nipple down in the hole in the spring, let the pressure off the crowbar and tap the bottom side of the leaf with a hammer to work the nipple into the hole. Works like a charm.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
I just put the leaf spring isolator kit on my front leaf springs to stop the squeaking. It worked GREAT! There are 8 pieces in the kit. 1 flat piece and 1 curved piece goes on each end of each front spring. The flat piece with the "nipple" on it goes on the bottom, the piece with curve on it sits directly on top of it with the curve facing upward cupping the end of the leaf spring. You end up with the flat part of each piece laying against each other.
Two installation tips: jack the front end of the truck up and support with jackstands on the frame rails behind the leaf springs. You essentially want the front axle to "hang" to take pressure off the springs during the installation. You can then easily pry the spring leaves apart with a 3 foot crowbar to slip in the plastic pieces.
Second tip: after placing the bottom piece with the nipple down in the hole in the spring, let the pressure off the crowbar and tap the bottom side of the leaf with a hammer to work the nipple into the hole. Works like a charm.
Two installation tips: jack the front end of the truck up and support with jackstands on the frame rails behind the leaf springs. You essentially want the front axle to "hang" to take pressure off the springs during the installation. You can then easily pry the spring leaves apart with a 3 foot crowbar to slip in the plastic pieces.
Second tip: after placing the bottom piece with the nipple down in the hole in the spring, let the pressure off the crowbar and tap the bottom side of the leaf with a hammer to work the nipple into the hole. Works like a charm.
Thanks, David
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Georgia
As earlybirds said there are 8 pieces. (Enough to do them again one day) You will only use 4. One flat one for the rear of each side and one curved for the front of each side.
Oh and tip #3. Watch out for your fingers while prying the springs apart and sliding the shims in. One slip of the crowbar and your off to the emergency room.
Oh and tip #3. Watch out for your fingers while prying the springs apart and sliding the shims in. One slip of the crowbar and your off to the emergency room.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 107
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As earlybirds said there are 8 pieces. (Enough to do them again one day) You will only use 4. One flat one for the rear of each side and one curved for the front of each side.
Oh and tip #3. Watch out for your fingers while prying the springs apart and sliding the shims in. One slip of the crowbar and your off to the emergency room.
Oh and tip #3. Watch out for your fingers while prying the springs apart and sliding the shims in. One slip of the crowbar and your off to the emergency room.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 476
Likes: 13
From: Hickory, North Carolina
OK guys I need a little more help.
First, The shim kit is not wide enough for my leaf springs. Mine are 3 inches wide and the curved shim is only 2. The piece with the stud is square and my original ones are round. I managed to get the first piece with the stud in on one spring but it does not fit very well. There is also a "clamp" that wraps around my springs to prevent you from seperating them.
What am I doing wrong? My truck is in the air so any quick help is appreciated. Thanks Guys.
David
PS earlybirds, what year is your truck and is it a 4 x 4?
First, The shim kit is not wide enough for my leaf springs. Mine are 3 inches wide and the curved shim is only 2. The piece with the stud is square and my original ones are round. I managed to get the first piece with the stud in on one spring but it does not fit very well. There is also a "clamp" that wraps around my springs to prevent you from seperating them.
What am I doing wrong? My truck is in the air so any quick help is appreciated. Thanks Guys.
David
PS earlybirds, what year is your truck and is it a 4 x 4?