Sounds like the ol' sway bar end links need to be tightened or replaced, its the verticle black shiny bar with all the rubber around it, check the torque specs, I don't remember what they are.

 

The 5100's--silver with black boots will fit on a stock ride hight truck. That's what I have on mine. I got them from TopGunCustomz on ebay. I called them when I ordered to verify that they would work. Not sure on the #'s.

Randy

 

on mine the bushings went bad..... there's the noise

 

ordered mines, bilsteins, should be here in a couple of days.

 

How much better are the bilsteins than Rancho, I changed my stock shocks for Rancho's at 100K and notice little improvement.... not $200 worth... My truck is very heavy if I'm full of diesel I wiegh in the mid 8,000lb range, Is there any way I can put a second shock on the back?

 

The knocks over small bumps that you hear are the sway bar bushings and links. They come in 3 sizes, 34mm,33mm and I think 30mm. It a wonder just how much noise comes out of those bushing and are easy to change.

 

Thanks. I did change all 4 shocks and the ride seems a little bit better but the sounds are still there. Where is a good place to buy these bushings and how do I know what size I need (or are you saying I need all three sizes)?

 

Change them when you drive it off the lot.

 

check to c how loose your control arm bushings are.thats what u could be hearing

 

what brand of shock does NAPA have?

my buddy is a manager, gives me a good price, and just brings me a trunk load of parts to church.

saves me a lot of time

 

Common source of clanking - the receiver hitch. Assuming the insert is installed.

 

Can the average joe change out the shocks or are there any special tools needed?

(for the record I know Im in the wrong forum, I have a 2002 but found this while searching about replacing shocks)

Brian

 

I thought it was 35,999 miles

 

Brian, its pretty simple, regular sockets and wrenches, on 3rd gens we have to remove 1 battery out of the way but that's about it. it should take about 1 hour depending on how rusty your bolts and nuts are.

 

Lightly press on brake and see if noise goes away, pads can rattle pretty bad.