Has Gm Issued A Service Bulletin For The Rear Spring Noise In '17 Silverados?

Why do foliage springs squeak?

January 28, 2021

You have a neat truck, but it has one piffling problem: the rear leaf springs squeak. In most trucks, rear leaf springs are made of several "leaves." When a spring flexes, these leaves motion against each other.

Leaf spring in a GMC pickup truck.

What are the mutual problems that cause squeaking?

Sand, small-scale rocks stuck between leaves
Worn-out spacers (anti-friction pads)
Leafage spring rubs confronting one of the rebound clips
Squeaky foliage spring bushings

In many cases, squeaking starts after driving on unpaved or muddy roads, as small rocks can get stuck between the leaves. If you check 4x4 forums, many truck owners suggest pressure level washing the leaf springs subsequently mudding or driving on unpaved roads. Do car manufacturers recommend cleaning leaf springs?

Some motorcar makers don't mention it, but some practise. For example, the owner'south manual for the 2013 Ford Super Duty says:

Rear suspension components may require regular cleaning with a power washer or a thorough rinse with a stiff stream of water if the vehicle is operated in dusty or muddy environments.

We also found the GM service bulletin 06-03-09-004M for the 1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado and a number of other trucks about a squeaking noise from the rear of the vehicle. Here is the link to the message on the NHTSA website. The message recommends pressure-washing the leaf springs to clean the dirt get-go, then drying the springs with compressed air and and so greasing the inserts (spacers) with a special lubricant. Judging by the function number of the lubricant provided in the message, it'southward the Molykote ™ M77 paste. However, the bulletin warns that it's a temporary measure and periodic cleaning and re-applying grease may be necessary throughout the life of the vehicle. Many truck enthusiasts recommend not to utilize any grease on leaf springs, merely in this instance, nosotros will take the manufacturer's (GM) recommendations. Nosotros likewise found the service bulletin NTB18-003 for the 2004-2015 Nissan Titan. The bulletin instructs cleaning the working surface of the rear leaf spring tip inserts (spacers) to solve the noise concerns.
It'southward worth noting that the fact that there is a service message doesn't hateful that the problem is covered nether warranty.

Another mutual problem that often causes squeaking is when the inter-foliage spacers article of clothing out allowing metal to metallic contact between the leaves, come across the photograph.

Leaf spring wear In this truck, squeaking was caused by a worn-out spacer that allowed metallic-to-metallic contact. See some other illustration Fig 2.

If a spacer is worn out or missing, the lower leaf grinds into the foliage above. For that reason, it'southward a good idea to supplant inter-leaf spacers if they wait worn out; parts are not very expensive ($15-$30 for a kit). For example, the Toyota service bulletin T-SB-0273-17 for the 2016-2017 Toyota Tacoma recommends cleaning and removing grease and dirt between the leaf springs and replacing silencer pads (spacers). Here is the link to the bulletin. The bulletin, though, warns confronting using any grease on the pad and spring surface. The bulletin also provides instructions for mechanics on how to find the source of the noise.

1 more possible source of squeaking noise is the contact expanse between the leafage leap and the inner edges of the rebound (wind-upwardly) clip; marked in the photo.

Leaf spring in the GMC pickup truck.

For example, the Nissan service message RA05-003 for the 2005-2006 Nissan Borderland instructs mechanics to inspect the inside of the rear foliage spring current of air-up clip plastic cover for contact (rubbing) with the foliage spring. If there are signs of rubbing, the bulletin advises applying grease (Molykote 7 ™) between the leaf leap and wind-up clip plastic cover. For a similar business organization, the bulletin RA05-002a for the 2004-2006 Nissan Titan advises replacing the foliage leap wind-up clip cover if signs of rubbing are present.

Leaf spring shackle Squeaky shackle bushings are common.

Worn leaf spring bushings equally well as shackle bushings are known to cause squeaking noises likewise. Parts are not expensive, just replacing leaf spring bushings involves a considerable amount of labor. In nigh cases, the leafage springs volition need to be removed, although some mechanics can do the job with leaf springs in place. In many trucks new bushings volition need to be pressed in. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to exercise it.