Leaf Spring swap, now makes creaking sounds

[Skibug]

Well I finally swaped my mono leafs for some off of a 4 door. But now these seem to make all kinds of creaking sounds as I go over bumps. Is this normal settling type noises that will go away over time? I took it for a drive then came back and tightend the bolts some more. It seemed like they settled a bit and needed some tightening.

Any help is appreciated.

 

[Bronco638]

I'm gonna guess your 'new' four door leaf packs have worn insulator pads which is allowing the leaves to rub on each other. Since the leaves aren't original to your vehicle they're going to have to "break in" some since they've settled under a different truck. They may never be totally quiet.

I was fortunate and did not have any noises when swapping in the F150 leaves. The insulator pads were shot and I decided not to use the pads from my old Explorer leaves.

 

[Skibug]

The insulator pads look to be in real good shape. They have quieted down quite a bit today after a bit of driving. They only make noises now when I go over sharp bumps.

 

[Bronco638]

Even though the pads look good from the edges, they can be worn in the center. My F150 leaf insualtors were like that. But, as you mentioned, they've quieted down some since you've been driving. They'll probably take some time to "break in".

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

My leaf spring eye bushings are shot and creak as you describe. I've tried shooting in white lithium grease and it helps for a (short) while. I've heard that they're a PITA to remove & replace so i've dealt with it.

They're especially creaky when it's warm/hot/dry out.

 

[Bronco638]

My leaf spring eye bushings are shot and creak as you describe.... I've heard that they're a PITA to remove & replace so i've dealt with it.

Actually they're not as hard to replace as you'd think. The key is to get the leaf eye to release some pressure on the bushing sleeve. I've used an old, large, flat bladed screw driver to wedge into the area where the leaf wraps back on itself (to form the eye). This usually releases enough pressure so that the bushing can be driven out with a drift and BFH. On install, all you have to do is get the new bushing started and use the BFH to drive it home.

 

[j602]

Bronco, I assume you took the leaves off the truck to replace the bushings?

 

[Bronco638]

Uh, yes, and it was an old Mustang but same difference.

 

[BuffaloXplorer]

I've read somewhere here that someone drilled out the old bushing and then beat & bent the crap out of the metal sleeve to get it out.

[off topic: I just purchased new t-bar adjusters and plan to try that swap this weekend - but once i do that new poly bushings are next on my list]