my rear end is dragging !

[artie in miami]

I have a 1990 GMC Suburban 2500 (3/4 ton) and notice that when I get a load of wood at home depot and attempt to back up my driveway...the drive shaft bangs against the body. I guess this means the springs are worn...do you think the napa shock absorbers with the coil spring on the outside will help this ?? Or, is there something else that I can try. I am pretty handy at fixing these beasts as I own two of them (1986 and 1990) which I restored myself (paint, interiors etc). What can I do to raise the body off the frame a bit ?? Thanks

artie in miami

 

[dleroy43]

2500=3/4 ton

 

[michael0584]

The shock mount aren't known to be very strong, so I wouldn't add those shocks. Your best and cheapest option would be to get a set of add a leafs. They are just an additional leaf you add to your spring pack. Something like this.

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Lift-Kit..._c=1&t_s=399&t_pt=5488&t_pl=3884&t_pn=SUP2500

 

[artie in miami]

thanks

Michael
Thanks...I ordered a set of those...I hope they come with directions on mounting...looks like they bolt on somehow ?? I wonder if they come with mounting hardware ?

artie

 

[dhcomp]

How/where is your drive shaft hitting the body?

It sounds like you might have a problem other than spring sag.....

 

[artie in miami]

How/where is your drive shaft hitting the body?

It sounds like you might have a problem other than spring sag.....

I cannot really tell...it only happens with a load, when I back up an incline ! I am betting it is the u-joint or something...it is the shaft assembly hitting the body someplace. I trailer a 25' boat (around 6,000 lbs)...since I have a class 1 hitch which is on the frame...the worn springs won't bother that...will it ??

artie

 

[boggerless]

if you're u joint is hitting the body . you have some big problems!!!and that is imposible unless you're frame is broke.or springs,it sounds like you have too much weight in the truck amd you're receiver is hitting.i have spent 25 years watching people over load their trucks.PS, just because you buy overload springs, it does not mean the brakes/ axles can handle the weight.

 

[artie in miami]

I don't think I overloaded the truck...6 sheets of 5/8" cdx plywood was all that it took...worked fine until I went to back up the inclined driveway...then something was banging..when I stopped moving backwards...the noise stopped. It sounded like an external noise (not insede the rear end or transmission). I will check under the truck for any marks (dents, scratches etc). thanks

artie in miami

 

[dhcomp]

Check your u bolts, and check to see your rear tires are in the same location in the wheel well on each side. Wonder if you broke a center pin or something, or your u bolts are lose, letting the axle rotate under acceleration.

 

[artie in miami]

About 5,000 miles ago, a crooked mechanic conned my wife into paying for a new rear end in this suburban...I was out of town and it was running funny...she was afraid that she broke something and told the man to "fix it" ...he fixed her...$2,000 for a rear end and a tune up. He put a new u joint in when he did the rear end...he really fixed her rear end with that price ! She tried to do a good thing...no good deed goes unpunished in miami, fl !!

artie

 

[colbystephens]

any chance you're hitting your hitch against the concrete due to a sharp incline on your driveway?

 

[artie in miami]

no...it was a cyclic banging noise...not a scraping...good thought though ! I guess I will be fine as long as I don't back up the driveway !! ha ha since miami has no hills at all (flat as a pancake) I guess I will be ok!

artie

 

[4xcrazy]

broken transmission mount?, bouncing around while under a load (throttle) mine did similar while i was at moab a few years ago, under throttle, the trans would move and bang up against the trans tunnel (body)

 

[michael0584]

Stock exhaust setup? I have seen custom exhaust that when there was a load the driveshaft would hit the muffler