Creaking in the back

[Markdavo]

I have a 2016 SR dual cab (63,000kms) with tub and Flexiglass Flexitrade canopy. About a week ago it started making a creaking noise in the back (seems more towards the left) when I drove over a gutter or big dip in the track. I took everything out of the back, including the spare, tightened the 6 bolts holding the canopy to the tub but the creaking persists. Not that I think it could possibly be linked (says he) several days the before the creaking started I ran a figure-8 wire through the left chassis rail for a fridge socket. I don't want to pull the wire out but will if I need to.

Has this happened to anyone before?

Cheers,

Mark

[grunf]

Leaf springs?

[Markdavo]

Leaf springs?

How do I fix that?

Cheers

[flyingdoctor]

Fully unload the springs by using a jack (or two) to get the layers of the spring leafs seperated, Then get some sticky grease in between, use motocross chain grease or similar.

The squeeking should be gone now for a few weeks.

[Myralga]

Leaf springs?

How do I fix that?

Cheers

If it’s the leafs you have two options.

Option A (recommended) leave it alone. If you have been in mud or wet weather recently what happens is you get a slight layer of rust/dirt build up between the leaf packs. Once it dries you get the squeak. Now if you leave it alone it will polish itself quiet after about a week or two of regular driving in most cases. (Obviously if you have greasable shackles etc grease these)

Option B if you don’t want to wait. Then you can jack up the ute till the tire is just off the ground. Use a good pry bar of some sort to pry open each individual leaf and apply grease to the pads between the leafs. (Use a small screwdriver or a stiff zip tie to smear the grease into the gap. Never put your fingers in there etc otherwise you won’t have them anymore.)
Problem with this method is that once you do it you start an aggressive process. The grease attracts/collects the dirt which works it’s way in and creates more noise so you have to reapply to stop the noise. And then it just becomes a giant mess.

Option A is where I’m at right now. With all the wet weather we are having on the east coast I know in a week or so after the rain stops my springs will be squeaking. (Happens every time to me with decent rain) leave it alone and about a week later (couple hundred Km) the noise disappears.
Hope this helps for you.


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[Gipsy]

I get a lot of creaking in the back lately but I don't think it's my springs

[Sartor]

For me it was the bushings for the springs, on the cab end. You can check and if needed re-grease them

[cauchs]

I get it just about every time I drive on dirt. It usually goes away after a week or so of driving in sealed roads.

Otherwise hitting it with a high pressure hose normally fixes it.

[Markdavo]

I fixed it by loading up about 500kgs of gear and going bush for two days. End of creaking.

Thanks,

Mark