why do leaf springs pop???

[87swb]

for some reason my 87 silverado 2wd swb's leaf springs in the rear are poppin constantly. why? and how can it be fixed?

[123 pugsy]

What do you mean by "popping"?

[87swb]

well they just make a snappin' cracklin' noise when the truck moves. sounds kinda like ball joints poppin.

[123 pugsy]

Take a good look.You could have broken leaves or the rubber bushings could be shot.

[87swb]

ok thanks for the help i'll check and reply back

[87swb]

i don't really know what to look for. if one is broke is it serious? but for some reason my truck, 87 2wd short bed, has 6 leaf springs instead of like most 4. maybe roundedline could tell me why it has 6 instead of 4.

[123 pugsy]

Jack up the truck and support it under the frame rails.Remove the wheels and look at the edges of all the springs for cracks.Give everything a shake( make sure the stands are secure) to find some play.If you have a broken leaf,you could remove it and the same one from the other side leaving 5.Its OK if you like the stance (slightly lower) and if you don't do any heavy towing or hauling.

[roundedline]

6 leafs indicate a HD rear suspension.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[87swb]

i looked and i can't find anyhting wrong, no cracks or breaks all pretty sturdy. could the u-bolts need tightening? sure is makin a lot of racket under there.

[123 pugsy]

If you can turn the nuts,that means they are loose.Give them a turn and see.

It may not be the springs at all,just sound like its coming from the springs. Maybe something else  is snap,crackle and popping.

Edited by: 123 pugsy at: 5/31/06 8:26 pm

[VileZambonie]

Whhat makes you think it's the springs? When does it make the noise? Is it when bouncing? under acceleration?  

[87swb]

all i know is when the truck bounces or when i turn i hear snap crackle and pop in the back. now i know part of it is the ball joints but what i don't understand is whats coming from the back. i know its comin from the back. i can kneel down by one of my back tires and shake the truck and hear all that around the springs. i know what it is the trucks had a bent frame and it got straightened and they say when that happens they'll moan and groan after that. just can't win.  wasn't even bent that bad!!!

[toplessblazer]

Do you have any polyurethane bushings on your rearend any where? Like your shackles, spring eyes, or your shocks? I replaced control arm bushings before with poly ones and they made all kinds of racket until I took them apart and greased them up. Just a thought. A bent frame shouldn't cause that much noise if it was repaired correctly.
You might also check any crossmembers or brackets on the frame to make sure you haven't sheared off any rivits that hold the parts to the frame.

Edited by: toplessblazer at: 6/2/06 12:58 am

[roundedline]

Check the rear shock mounts at the frame too.

Chris Lucas
www.73-87chevytrucks.com
www.captkaoscustoms.com
Project Su
Jimmy 2WD Project

[123 pugsy]

Check if any of the body mount points (6) are rotted thru the frame.It may be hard to see so you can have someone lift up on the cab and rad support while you look for play.I've had creaks and stuff from rotted body mount perches. Sometimes its hard to tell exactly where a sound is coming from.