Front leaf spring clunking March 22, 2012, 12:36:20 am Yahoo Message Number: 8709Anybody got a fix for front leaf springs clunk and slap when going over a bump in the road or turning lt or rt transitioning from one street to another? Anybody dealt with this problem on their Kodiak?Denny Quote Selected
Front leaf spring clunking Reply #1 – March 22, 2012, 12:43:33 am Yahoo Message Number: 8710Anybody dealt with the clunking and slapping of the leaf springs while transitioning from street to street turning lt or rt.?Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #2 – March 22, 2012, 12:48:48 am Yahoo Message Number: 8711Sorry for the redundancy.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #3 – March 22, 2012, 07:17:19 am Yahoo Message Number: 8712Had my Seneca in shop when first purchased and was told this was normal on that chassis Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #4 – March 22, 2012, 07:24:55 am Yahoo Message Number: 8713I have the same issue. Has anyone put front air bags on?? Did it help?ChuckChuck & J J J Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #5 – March 22, 2012, 08:12:40 am Yahoo Message Number: 8714I have the same clunk on my 2007. I read where the dealer says its normal. I don't buy that explanation. I would like to know the source. It seems to me that it can only get worse. Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #6 – March 22, 2012, 09:16:03 am Yahoo Message Number: 8715Mine, I believe, has gotten worse and I also believe that contributed to the left front tire wear. I just put on a new set of Toyo 245 M 143s and would like to know what can be done to fix this. Even if it's normal (which I doubt) it's annoying.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #7 – March 22, 2012, 09:19:45 am Yahoo Message Number: 8716Dennis Bradford wrote:QuoteMine, I believe, has gotten worse and I also believe that contributed tothe left front tire wear. Even if it's normal(which I doubt) it's annoying.My 2007 has clunked since I bought it. I didn't know it was the frontleafs doing it though. I've never really been able to pinpoint where thenoise comes from but it's like someone hits the frame with a hammer bythe sound. I've looked for things in basement compartments that werehitting something, but nope. I checked slide rails, etc and nothing isloose.If y'all say it's the leafs then at least I have some clue now. It sureis loud when it happens.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #8 – March 22, 2012, 10:07:52 am Yahoo Message Number: 8718If you level up on the jacks enough to just unload the front suspension, put a bar between the two springs near the front curl. Spread the springs and watch the bottom spring curl as it wraps around the top curl. It moves quite a bit on drivers side and makes the clunking sound we hear. The pass side isn't as bad on mine but does the same thing. Statically weight on with effort you can get some movement. Here's the thing though, as you are driving the spring packs are constantly loading and unloading. At the moment of unloading and hitting a bump you will get the clunk. This is more noticeable at lower speeds of course and while transitioning street to street. I can get the clunk at speed if the highway is rough enough. I got to do somthing.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #9 – March 22, 2012, 10:30:46 am Yahoo Message Number: 8719Not sure the spring would cause tire wear. I would find a good truck suspension shop. That would repair the spring pack bushings and do proper alignment on front end. Over on DP there is a thread on tweaking the front end of our trucks for better handling. If you were in my area I could give you a recommendation on a shop to do the repairs.BestRon Hall Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #10 – March 22, 2012, 10:32:56 am Yahoo Message Number: 8720Dennis Bradford wrote:QuoteIf you level up on the jacks enough to just unload the frontsuspension, put a bar between the two springs near the front curl.Spread the springs and watch the bottom spring curl as it wrapsaround the top curl. It moves quite a bit on drivers side and makesthe clunking sound we hear.I've got to get mine out of storage and get it ready for the trip toColorado in May so I'll have it over here to do some work next week andwill try that. I'd be happy to know that's the sound at least.It's definitely more pronounced at low speeds and transitioning in andout of roads, driveways, etc so that makes sense.Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #11 – March 22, 2012, 10:36:59 am Yahoo Message Number: 8721Has anyone upgraded to Deaver springs up front? Wonder if this would cure the problem.Lot of talk about them on the Diesel Forum. Not familiar with them myself. Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #12 – March 22, 2012, 10:54:31 am Yahoo Message Number: 8722I somewhat agree with you. The spring bushings are good. The main spring curls are attached to the frame front and rear in bushings. The lower secondary spring curls around the main spring curl forward and lay on a nylon bearing on the bottom of the main spring. The clunking is coming from the front curl as far as I can tell. There is considerable clearance in the wrap around. The main spring seems quite secure. The tire wear was cupping and I now believe that can be attributed to a poor balance procedure. I have new Bilstiens installed last year that couldn't over come the lousy balance. The new tires were assembled with counteract beads and so far as I can tell the balance is very good.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #13 – March 22, 2012, 10:58:00 am Yahoo Message Number: 8723I'm going to look into the Deavers. One thing I don't want to do is raise the front end anymore than it is now. I don't need to through anymore weight aft.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #14 – March 22, 2012, 11:17:29 am Yahoo Message Number: 8724My 07 has done this since I bought it in 2008. It is created by the design of the spring and the load on it. When it unloads the leafs slap. I consider it part of driving a medium duty work truck with an extremely heavy load and poor spring design. It will not hurt anything but my ears.Dan Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #15 – March 22, 2012, 05:29:42 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8727ditto!From: dansocal@... ;To:;Subject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Front leaf spring clunkingSent: Thu, Mar 22, 2012 3:17:29 PMMy 07 has done this since I bought it in 2008. It is created by the design of the spring and the load on it. When it unloads the leafs slap. I consider it part of driving a medium duty work truck with an extremely heavy load and poor spring design. It will not hurt anything but my ears.Dan Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #16 – March 23, 2012, 08:03:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 8731This describes the noise in mine perfectly. Thank you! It is so nice to know the source of the clunking. My MH is not available for me to look right now. Is this something a spring shop could repair? There is a spring shop near me that is very reasonable. Perhaps some reshaping of the front curl would fix it? What do you think? Thanks again for the great information. Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #17 – March 23, 2012, 08:11:29 am Yahoo Message Number: 8732I went to a Chev dealer parts department to inquire about repair parts. I'm still researching options if there are any.Denny Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #18 – March 23, 2012, 05:31:33 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8744We tried all sorts of cures, grease, packers, etc. with no luck, so we developed a truck suspension grade nylon silent block that mounts snuggly between the 2 springs, it reduces the clunk by 99%, in some cases 100%, Hundreds of kits sent to Australia with success eliminating the clunk, we have many kits still available, it was cheaper to manufacture in volume original cost $153 per kit, we can sell what we have to the group at $110 per kit until sold out, If anyone would like a kit or more info please email me at jdv@... Thanks, Jack, Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #19 – March 23, 2012, 05:50:04 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8745Got more info/pictures for your product. I am sure the group would be interested.BestRon Hall Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #20 – March 23, 2012, 09:04:01 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8746Hi Ron, Info Attached, Let me know your thoughts, Jack, From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ronjhallsrSent: Friday, March 23, 2012 5:50 PMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Front leaf spring clunkingGot more info/pictures for your product. I am sure the group would be interested.BestRon Hall Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #21 – March 23, 2012, 09:13:43 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8747Looks good.BestRon Hall Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking [1 Attachment] Reply #22 – March 23, 2012, 09:56:57 pm Yahoo Message Number: 8748If I understand it, we need two kits for our coach....right?Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #23 – March 24, 2012, 04:31:22 am Yahoo Message Number: 8749Attachments :One kit per vehicle, Kit = 2 blocks, Jack, From: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of Greg GimlickSent: Friday, March 23, 2012 9:57 PMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: Re: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Front leaf spring clunkingIf I understand it, we need two kits for our coach....right?Take care, Greg Quote Selected
Re: Front leaf spring clunking Reply #24 – March 24, 2012, 07:59:01 am Yahoo Message Number: 8750Ron, All I get is a blank screen when I open the attachment. Could you put the info in the files section.Thanks DaveFrom: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com [mailto:KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of ronjhallsrSent: Friday, March 23, 2012 9:14 PMTo: KodiakChassisClassC@yahoogroups.comSubject: [KodiakChassisClassC] Re: Front leaf spring clunkingLooks good.BestRon Hall Quote Selected