rear troubles

[kamm]

hello everyone. This is my first post here on ck5 so thank you for welcoming me to the community. I have an 89 k5 mostly stock. 350 tbi, 700r4 with an np205 from a suburban. It rides on 33x12.5 15's. So, apon take off from complete stop the truck sometimes clunks, and every so often feels like it sinks a bit in the rear. Just over the last week there is an intermitten sound like a tink noise from a pole being hit with a stone or metal. This noise seems to come form the driver side rear wheel. Sorry this is a bad description, but any thoughts? Thanks for your time,

Steve

 

[Big Blzn]

Check to see if you have a broken rear spring, spring bolt, shackle or any other part of the rear suspension on the side in question.

 

[fallguy]

that could be several things, the clink could be something small like a rock hung up in the wheel/brakes somehow. the sinking in the the rear could be worn out shocks or springs. maybe a little better description would help or you could try the search at the top of the page & see if you find any related threads.

 

[kamm]

Two things I have noticed. One is that the bolts that mount the shocks to the frame come loose within a week or being retightend on both sides. Also when I first bought the truck, about three months ago I pulled the rear wheels and did see that the shoes are installed on the wrong side. Primary secondary are swapped.

 

[mwwebmstr]

Also when I first bought the truck, about three months ago I pulled the rear wheels and did see that the shoes are installed on the wrong side. Primary secondary are swapped.

Sounds like a good place to start if you haven't done it already. I would make sure the brakes are set up correcttly, maybe throw in a new parts kit while your at it. Like others have said it could be a number of things. Check springs, the rear shackle hanger, rivets to frame on brackets, spring pack, u-bolt to axle tightness, etc....

If you can have someone ride in the rear or walk next to the truck while it's making the noise. Helps identify where exactly the sound may be coming from as well.

 

[kamm]

thanks for the input everyone. It turned out that the rear u bolts where loose. Everyones help is greatly appreciated

 

[4X4HIGH]

The "tink" noise is a bad u-joint. Because sounds travels through the driveshaft it could be a hard noise to diagnose unless you have plenty of experience with the sound of a bad u-joint. If you remove the driveshaft and pull the u-joints out i will guarantee one or both will come out in rusted pieces.

This could also be your original problem so i would start with replacing the u-joints especially since they are pretty cheap. If you want the best u-joint money can buy then get the Spicer Life series u-joints (driveline shops carry them).