BDS W/Z71

[DBoregon]

I just installed the BDS kit to my 04TB with Z71 springs. After driving the vehicle I am getting a knocking noise in the rear suspension when going over bumps and rougher road. I am thinking it may be the shocks reaching full extension but I have been just driving on city streets. I have the BDS 5500 white shocks. Can anyone confirm? Or offer any ideas what else it could be. Thanks

[OregTrailBlazin]

Did you make sure the rubber isolators didn't come out with the stock springs?

Wait you said BDS w/Z71... Yeah you may be topping those out, but I'm sure one of the guys with the same setup will beable to help.

[Saxis]

Several people, including me, have/had this problem. It's possible the rear BDS spacers aren't locked in tight. The recommendation was to put some sealant on top of them so they can't move around. If you don't want to do that, and have the time and means to monkey around with it, you could probably also tighten the mounting bolts a bit, test fit, re-tighten etc. until they are snug.

[TransAm-98]

I believe it's the sway bar hitting the bottom of the rear end. With that much lift and stock length end links the sway bar sits very close to the bottom of the rear end. When the suspension unloads, the sway par pivots up and hits it. It was something I noticed when I did end links. If you crawl under there with it sitting on the ground you should be able to see what I'm talking about.

[fishsticks]

I believe it's the sway bar hitting the bottom of the rear end. With that much lift and stock length end links the sway bar sits very close to the bottom of the rear end. When the suspension unloads, the sway par pivots up and hits it. It was something I noticed when I did end links. If you crawl under there with it sitting on the ground you should be able to see what I'm talking about.

Mine knocked from time to time before I deleted it.

[DBoregon]

I believe it's the sway bar hitting the bottom of the rear end. With that much lift and stock length end links the sway bar sits very close to the bottom of the rear end. When the suspension unloads, the sway par pivots up and hits it. It was something I noticed when I did end links. If you crawl under there with it sitting on the ground you should be able to see what I'm talking about.

Can it be removed? This is different from the rear track bar correct?

[Trail X]

Wait you said BDS w/Z71... Yeah you may be topping those out, but I'm sure one of the guys with the same setup will beable to help.

It's pretty hard to get that combo to top out - for me at least. But I have a lot of weight in the rear.

[dirty anton]

same problem with mine. had marks lift. cut a thick rubber electrical mat and used a piece between spacer and top then an isolator between spring and spacer and an isolator between spring and bottom. no noise. befor that the springs (z 71 at the time) would fully extend over whoops and bumps off road and speed bumps on road and make a clacking noise.

[DBoregon]

same problem with mine. had marks lift. cut a thick rubber electrical mat and used a piece between spacer and top then an isolator between spring and spacer and an isolator between spring and bottom. no noise. befor that the springs (z 71 at the time) would fully extend over whoops and bumps off road and speed bumps on road and make a clacking noise.

Did you have any issues with the sway bar?

[dirty anton]

yea and had a nice ding in one or two of the control arms from the links

[DBoregon]

Think I will try installing the insulator on top of the spacer first and see how that works. Thanks for the help!

[fishsticks]

Excellent. While your waiting on parts, create an intro thread and tell us what part of Oregon you're in. We need to know if I'm taking to to Brown's Camp or if Johnny is taking you somewhere down south.

[DBoregon]

Excellent. While your waiting on parts, create an intro thread and tell us what part of Oregon you're in. We need to know if I'm taking to to Brown's Camp or if Johnny is taking you somewhere down south.

Not to far from you across the river in Gresham.

[cksaephan99]

on those bds lift kits...can you use the stock springs or better to change them??

[djthumper]

on those bds lift kits...can you use the stock springs or better to change them??

That will depend on your mission. Honestly if you aren't hauling a lot of weight or a heavy trailer you are better off with the stock springs. At least in my opinion.

[navigator]

Darren, do you have the BDS lift in the rear with Z71 springs and stock shocks or the BDS shocks?

[DBoregon]

Darren, do you have the BDS lift in the rear with Z71 springs and stock shocks or the BDS shocks?

Right now I have the BDS lift in rear with Z71 springs and BDS 5500 shocks.

[DirtyBacon04]

Suprised roadie hasnt commented on this one yet. It's okay. I'm the next best. I have that exact set up (BDS 5500/z71) and while installing it Bill happened to comment on this very topic. I belive the jist of what he was saying was that people will install the spacer over the rear w/o using sealant/podding/rubberised layer and drive around hitting speed bumps wondering what the hell that clanking noise is. I have had no unwanted noises (from the rear spacers, anyways) Maybe i just got lucky...

[DBoregon]

Suprised roadie hasnt commented on this one yet. It's okay. I'm the next best. I have that exact set up (BDS 5500/z71) and while installing it Bill happened to comment on this very topic. I belive the jist of what he was saying was that people will install the spacer over the rear w/o using sealant/podding/rubberised layer and drive around hitting speed bumps wondering what the hell that clanking noise is. I have had no unwanted noises (from the rear spacers, anyways) Maybe i just got lucky...

I definitely think that is what it is I have been listening to it more closely and it sounds like it coming from where the spring would be received on the frame side. Thanks for the input.