3rd Gen High Performance and Accessories (5.9L Only) Talk about Dodge/Cummins aftermarket products for third generation trucks here. Can include high-performance mods, or general accessories. THIS IS FOR THE 5.9L ONLY!

suspension noise

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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 03:31 PM
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Delectric's Avatar
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From: Auburn,Ca.
suspension noise

I had two 2003 3500's. Everything was basically the same except one was a dually(4:11 gears, stock 17" wheels/tires) and one a SRW (3:73 gears 19.5" wheels/tires). I lifted both trucks with Fabtech 4-1/2" lifts, 2" Daystar leveling kits and 4" Superlift blocks on the rear. The front suspension of the SRW makes a loud clunking sound when turning but only if the weight of the truck is on them. I lifted the front and turned the tires by hand and nothing happed but as soon as it's back on the ground it does it again. It seems like something is binding but I can't seem to locate it. Anybody have this same type of problem. The tires don't hit anything and none of the suspension parts seem to hitting anything. I am going to keep looking but I thought someone may have experienced the same problem.
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 04:18 PM
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I had close to this with a buddies 6 inch lift on his 04. Found it was the upper and lower control arms just loosing up a bit. Made a clunking sound every time we turned when it had some weight on it. Hope it helps...
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 05:34 PM
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tighten your track bar!!
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 06:06 PM
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I will definitely be checking the above mentioned parts. Thanks much guys. I'll try to look tomorrow and post back.
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Old Dec 16, 2007 | 06:09 PM
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if you think the track bar is tight...crank on it some more!!
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:42 PM
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Same problem anymore ideas?

I took the front suspension apart, rotated the coil springs so both sides match, retorqued everything and still I have the loud popping noise. So then when I jack it up and put jackstands under the axle the noise disapears. If I lower the right side (left side on jackstand)to the ground, no noise. If I lower the left side to the ground (right side on jackstand) the loud popping noise comes back. I almost sounds like it's comming from the streeing box. I have a little over 30,000 miles on this truck, 6" lift and 19.5" wheels/tires (245/75/19.5). Nothing is hitting anywhere that I can see and I have checked everywhere. It definitely is on the left side and you can feel it pop on the floorboards. Anyproblems with the steering box when run with bigger tires? Any help please?
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 07:49 PM
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I had the same problems and the track bar was loose just like Lsufan78 said. I tried to tighten it up one day and couldn't tighten it any more so I felt like that was not the problem. The noise persisted and about a month later I realized that the suspension shop had cross-threaded the lower bolt and it was not tight enough. Ordered a new bolt/nut and all is well now. No popping since then.
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Old Feb 8, 2008 | 11:21 PM
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pull the track bar bolts out, just to see if they're cross threaded...if not reinstall with some lock-tite and reinstall them as tight as you can get them. i'm still pretty confident that's what your problem is!
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Old Feb 9, 2008 | 12:07 AM
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Yes you have got to tighten that track bar until you think something is going to break! Use a breaker bar. I did this with mine and noise went away. I had been chasing this noise for months until I put the breaker bar to it. If it continues to come loose I was told to upgrade to a Thuren bar. Good luck.
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Old Feb 9, 2008 | 12:48 AM
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From: yuma az
track bar drop bracket

mine was poping really loud. i had the old lady turn the steering wheel while i was layin under the truck and the track bar drop bracket was moving upand down about a 16th of an inch. tighten the bolt that goes threw the stock location, it will solve the problem.
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Old Feb 9, 2008 | 11:15 AM
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OK, I'll try it again. I did tack the track bar off and reinstall it (pain in the a__). I will recheck the drop bracket too. I sure appreciate guys. LSUFAN78, Just to let you know I did tighten it as you suggested the first time then pulled it apart but this time I will get midieval on it and really tighten the heck out of it. If that doesn't work I'll be getting a Thuren bar too.
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 07:24 PM
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Thank you all!

Well, I tightened the livin heck out of the track bar and like you all said it took care of the problem. Thanks again.
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Old Feb 11, 2008 | 07:25 PM
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good deal!!
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