MarineBlue03GMC

About 500-1000 miles ago I installed hotchkis front coils and rear leafs, along with 4 Edelbrock IAS shocks on my 03 ECSB Sierra.

About 300 or so miles after the install I noticed squeaking and creaking noises coming from the rear of my suspension. This usually happens over dips and bumps in the pavement. It also happens when I stop or accelerate (which obviously causes the suspension weight to transfer from the front to the rear).

Anyway my friend that helped me with the install was saying maybe the squeaking was occuring because we didnt torque the leaf springs to factory specs.
I was also thinking maybe the leafs just needed greasing.

Has anyone experienced this squeaking or creaking after a suspension change? Any help would be most appreciated! The truck runs perfect but the noise can get kinda annoying and a bit embarassing, especially on a brand new truck! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="gr_sad.gif" />

03-Z71-5.3

I was going to ask the same question, but mine is bone stock with 500 miles. Mine is regular cab Z71. Same squeak when I give it gas from stop or when I come to complete stop. Very annoying.

SportVortech

like your friend said i'd just check out the leaf springs and make sure they're torqued right. Also some grease never hurts.

Texas Terminator

get used to it. i have tried everything including removing my overload leafs. give them a shot of grease once in awhile. if your shackles don't have grease fittings, you can take them off and drill them for fittings too.

sleepersilverado

iTrader: (1)

ok this was discussed a couple weeks ago here i hope this helps i dont know if i was correct on hisbecause he did not post results. but i have been there went through the whole susp. many times and never schecked the shocks.

MarineBlue03GMC

I dont have shackles on the rear so thats not the problem. Personally I dont think its the shocks either. I would almost be money that it has something to do with the leaf spring installation. I am pretty sure Hotchkis recommends "loading" the leaf springs while installing them.

According to my friend that helped with the install loading the springs was impossible with my tools. Does anyone know what I would need to properly load them?

Either way I think Im gonna ask Hotchkis what they think. I will post the info.

Phatchevy

i have the same problem. i didn't notice immediately after i installed the drop but after a while i noticed it. i thought it might have been the drive shaft because of the drop. what i did was jack up the rear end and turned the engine on and let the tires spin freely. after a while i heard the squeeks coming from the brake area. i looked at my brake pads and i have plenty of pad left. so i don't know if the pads are sticking or what? any suggestions....

try it on yours. jack up the back end and let the rear tires spin freely. i almost gaurantee that the squeeks are coming from your brake area. let them spin for a while and you'll hear the noise.

JSmith

iTrader: (5)

I have the Hotchkis drop and my rear leafs squeak and such too. It usually happens to me when I make light turns and when it's cold out. Doesn't usually do it during the warmer months. Curious to hear what Hotchkis has to say. Something tells me it's the leafs rubbing together. My uncle works at the dealership where I bought my truck and said they have plastic inserts to put in there to quite it down.

MarineBlue03GMC

My truck only has 3800 miles so I definitely dont think its the brakes. Maybe the leafs are rubbing together? That would make sense. It would be nice if it was just that, and hopefully a simple fix. I really dont want to unbolt them, since it was a real pain just to get em on.

Anyway thanks for everyones suggestions. I will email Hotchkis tomorrow and also try laying under the truck while someone jumps/pushes on the rear of the truck. Then I can hopefully hear exactly where the noise is coming from.

One thing I remember on my honda after I put lowering coils was a clanking/creaking noise when I hit dips. The coils were hitting eachother so I wrapped them with plastic electrical loom. After that they didnt make noise, so maybe the rear leafs are touching? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />

SportVortech

It has to be the leaf springs, and it looks like a common problem with hotchkis.

I'm almost positive hotchkis will give you a reply suggesting a lubricant to throw on and around the springs.

For ***** and giggles, I checked out Hotchkis' leaf spring install sheet, https://www.hotchkis.net/pdf_files/2402.PDF, and I'd just make sure you did 11-16 right.

But I honestly think its just the springs themselves rubbing at some point, something a good lubricant should fix.