Hoss

I've noticed that when I hit decent sized bumps there is kind of a banging noise coming somewhere from the rear of the truck (under the bed). I crawled underneath and looked around but couldn't find anything that seemed loose. Any ideas on what this might be?? Anyone else's truck do this??

mitchkim

i had the same noise when going over speed humps in the campground and it was my slide in trailer hitch making the noise <br><br>slide it out and no more noise

Mexstan

I have had a bad rattle from somewhere mid box for ages. Crawled underneath and shook everything a few times and so far can't find it. Most annoying.

Hoss

Hmmmm....this sounds like too much of a noise to be the trailer hitch. Heck...it almost sounds like the bed is bouncing up off the frame and slamming back down...but I know that's not the case or I'd probably be able to move the bed around. ???

Mexstan

Don't think it is the bed moving around in my case as the type of bumps that cause my rattle are not severe enough to make the bed jump up. Cobblestone roads make it really rattle.

Commatoze

Spare tire up tight?

Mexstan

Yup. Thought of that and shook it. It's solid. The rattle seems to be a little ahead of that.

phox_mulder

My Toyota had a &quot;bang&quot; going over bumps.<br><br>Sounded like the spare tire, or the brace for the spare tire was loose, from that general area.<br><br>Couldn't find anything loose, checked spare, checked u-joints, checked shocks, manhandled just about everything under the bed.<br>Lived with it for some months, checking things every now and then.<br><br>Turns out it was a busted spring, the middle one in the pack.<br><br>Didn't find it till half of it swung out and punctured the shock.<br><br>Now, I know it couldn't be that, new truck and all, but you never know, just something to check that you wouldn't think of, bad batch of steel at the spring factory maybe?<br><br>You'd have to take the tires off and look dead center in the leaf spring pack, mine broke right where the bolt goes through the center, both sides.<br>I think just half of it was broke while it was making the noise, then when the other side broke, it swung out.<br><br>phox

Mexstan

Good point. A definite possibility. Once it stops raining I will try my jack out and have a look. Personally I think the chances are remote, but have to check everything out.

vaquero

Mine does the same thing. I'm guessing it's my receiver hitch, that's the only thing that has any movement back there. ??? Will take it off and see if it still bangs.<br>Just a question, could it possibly be the springs &quot;slapping&quot; when hitting a bump or hole?

Mexstan

For me this is not a spring 'slap'. It is a rattle like a loose spare, or an exhaust. Even shook the fuel tank in case it was loose. Nothing much more under there to rattle. It is not a tinny rattle like a loose clamp. It sounds like something more solid. If it is dry tomorrow I am planning on having my wife drive it while I hang over the side to try and isolate the noise. Will keep you posted.

bulabula

[quote author=Mexstan link=board=17;threadid=16831;start=0#157866 date=1057708319]<br>If it is dry tomorrow I am planning on having my wife drive it while I hang over the side to try and isolate the noise.[/quote]<br><br>If at all possible, have someone in a chase car with a digital camera handy....

Mexstan

Why? To take my picture as I lay splattered on the cobblestones? : And then I post it for all you crazies to laugh at??? Yeah, right!!!!!!!

Hoss

After thinking some more about what Mitchkim said, I thunked my trailer hitch around some last night trying to duplicate the noise. &quot;Hmmmm....I thought.&quot; It DID sound a lot like what I've been hearing. To test my new theory, I got in and rolled all of my windows up and cranked the truck...then had my wife come out and thunk the hitch around. Sure enough...it was the same sound I'd been hearing when I hit bumps. I was surprised at the noise the hitch could make...and that it had enough slack in there to move around that much...but that seems to be the thump I've been hearing.<br><br>Hey Mexstan.....give it a shot. I was doubtful when Mitchkim mentioned the trailer hitch, but it sounds like he was right after all.