rear suspension clunk

[40grit]

Well, after towing an empty car hauler trailer out of a dirt field for friend, I now have a serious clunk in the rear end, whenever the suspension cycles on an angle (like a dip in the road) or goes off camber ( think of a driveway that angles up away from the flat road), i get a nice solid clunk out of one or both springs, the driver's side spring is touching between the the center pin and the sliders, and has rust/rub spots, it looks like the top spring is sagging down and touching the spring under it, then clunking together in the middle front when the 2 move to flex.

I'm really starting to get disappointed in this truck. 11 months old, 5k miles, never towed anything except for an empty trailer and now it looks like I need new springs...friggen hecho in mexico junk!!!

p.s. also got to take it back to stealership yet again to try and get them to fix the exhaust leak at turbo down pipe, visit #4:mad:

anyone know a good dealership in the southbay area of Los Angeles other than Martin Chev?:confused:

[DmaxMaverick]

Look for your spring insulators on the lower spring. They are 2.5" rubber/plastic discs near the ends, between the lower spring and upper spring pack. You will either see them there, or there will be an empty 1/2" hole, or a plastic stud in the hole (remainder of the insulator). If they are missing, the OL spring will slap the primary spring pack under certain conditions, like you describe. The insulators are pricey, but a warranty item and very easy to replace. The springs are also a warranty item, so don't sweat it too much. It is possible to get a bad set, although rare, regardless of country of origin.

[40grit]

spring insulators are there, everything looks good, just the top spring is bent and touching the next spring down...they have a big made in mexico paint marking on them, still perfectly visible...

[DmaxMaverick]

Have the dealer replace both sides. It's a new truck. You're entitled. I wouldn't settle for less.

[40grit]

OK, I feel really stupid...

turns out the offroad trip to yank out a trailer loosened the nerf bar/steps I installed that I pulled off my 2001.
The springs are infact sitting on the overloads, but the clunk is gone now that I removed the steps. I guess it's time to replace the little rubber pads that sit against the frame. The dealership figured out what it was. Funny thing is, the truck is sitting on the overloads, but it rides better than it ever has, so with the clunk gone, I guess I'll leave it alone. I just have to find some more bumpstops to replace the ones that went bad on the steps and I'm back in business...

figured I had to update this thread, even if the fix made me look stooopid.:)