SWB Maverick Rear Suspension Noise

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GHDirect

Well-known member
Club Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2017
Messages
71
Hi All.
I need help diagnosing the likely cause of the loud noise from rear area of my 97 SWB Maverick when rear wheels meet a road bump or pothole.

It’s been happening for months and drives me mad. Smooth road no issues, but it seems if a rear wheel goes down any uneven surface, drain cover or pothole on its return it seems to slam upwards with a noise like it’s gone into the stops or hit the chassis. Kerbside wheel is worst, probably because that’s where all the undulations are on our country roads. As the driver (never any passengers in the truck) you just have to guess what it could be by the noise.

Tyres are Toyo Open Country at 30 PSI. It’s been on a ramp, jacked up, all joints inspected with lever bar including body to chassis rear mounts, but nothing obvious. Tried to eliminate it by guess work replaced the: - rear shocks, rear coil springs, anti-roll joints to chassis and the 4 bushes in the axle tie bars. Also taken out rear seats, rear door spare wheel, and adjusted rear door lock area. No change.
Past year it has had the upper spring mounts rebuilt, but they look really good and the spring rubbers mount into them O/K. The new springs came from Milners and said 20% stronger. However although they didn’t fix the noise they did raised the rear ride height.

Any more ideas where to look or what to replace.

GHDirect
 
What about the rear bump stops, they generally fall off over the vehicles life. Do you carry a lot of weight or are the roads particularly bad that you drive along.
 
Hi.
Rear bumper stops are in place. They are original and rubber appears a bit soft. They got removed then glued back on when the new top spring housings were fabricated and welded in. Usually don't carry anything in back area other than a 40 Kilo German Shepherd.
Dorset B country roads are O/K but suffer a few potholes.
 
How about exhaust knocking?

I’m sure Rick or someone else will be along at some point to offer some good advice.
 
Hi All. The exhaust seems fine plenty of clearance. Last section was replaced recent years.
Drop links were replaced when welding top spring mounts. The brackets to chassis were a bit corroded so remade and re-welded in place in 2022. Maybe worth undoing drop links and driving around to see if that area is causing the problem. Keep the ideas coming!!!!
 
Hi All.

As suggested just re-checked the rear anti-roll bar drop links and yes one side the ball joint is not 100% tight. Yipeee found something!!!! Due to crap design of that joint it won't do up any more just turn with nut and ball joint thread. So ordered another pair, will grind off old units fit new and report back.

Thanks
GHDirect
 
Hopefully you are onto it, but I was just going to suggest that isn't nearside rear where the jack is stored. It isn't loose and thumping around when you hit a pothole? Probably easily discounted as the wrong kind of noise.
 
Hopefully you are onto it, but I was just going to suggest that isn't nearside rear where the jack is stored. It isn't loose and thumping around when you hit a pothole? Probably easily discounted as the wrong kind of noise.

That’s a dam good shout is that :thumbs
 
Hi All. Good thinking about the Jack but I have already checked it. Still waiting delivery of Anti-Roll links. Will post the result when fitted.
GHdirect
 
Hi All.
Finally changed the drop links. Second time in a year. Made sure these are 110% tight and my banging noise has gone.

Yippeee
GHDirect
 
Well done, now enjoy your truck until the next trick it plays on you :augie

You gotta love em these trucks :thumbs
 

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