2001 1500 Rear End Noise

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wis2ohio

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I have a 2001 Sierra 1500 about 2 months ago when I was driving I went over some bumps and I noticed a rattling nosie in the rear end after taking it to a shop they were unable to find the problem while it was on a lift, I have looked at the muffler, shocks, rear bumper everything under the truck and nothing moves.
I am wondering if anyone else has had the same problem and if so what it might be, or does anyone have any ideas how to find what the problem might be?
 
wis2ohio said:
I have a 2001 Sierra 1500 about 2 months ago when I was driving I went over some bumps and I noticed a rattling nosie in the rear end after taking it to a shop they were unable to find the problem while it was on a lift, I have looked at the muffler, shocks, rear bumper everything under the truck and nothing moves.
I am wondering if anyone else has had the same problem and if so what it might be, or does anyone have any ideas how to find what the problem might be?
Click to expand...

a. Does the noise continues, or was it a temporary thing?

b. Have you tried to move the muffler and pipes to see if you can duplicate the noise, or just looked at them? With a cold muffler and pipes, tap both with the palm of your hand to shake or wiggle both. When you just look at the muffler and pipes, what you should do is to make sure that none of the parts are touching anything nearby. There should be enough clearance between the muffler/pipes and the rest of the truck. And keep in mind that when the motor is running and the pipes/muffler get hot, they expand and close the gaps or clearances

c. While under the truck (with a cold engine and catalytic converter): tap the catalytic converter with the palm of your hand and see if you can hear the rattling noise. Sometimes a pebble gets trapped between the catalytic converter and the shield below it, and it makes a heck of a rattle :)
 
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Noise lasts for a few secs after going over a pot hole or bump, I have moved the muffler and it does move side to side ( hangers do appear to be loosing stiffness) think I'm gunna try some wire hangers and see if that helps any, I have not tried that catalytic converter as the noise is coming from the rear end but I will take a look at that.
 
Well I tried the clothes hanger idea and it didnt help any now I am thinking it's time to take the bed off and drive down a bumpy road and hope I can have someone see whats making the noise man this crap sure sucks not knowing whats wrong.
 
The tailgate is stiff and not moving, the spair tire I have lowered and put it back up thinking that might be it but it still makes the same noise what I havent tried yet is taking the spair off and driving without it off.
 
look at the rear springs and see if the plastic contack pads are still on them. Comon noise to have.
 
If the plastic contact pads are missing what can I put in it's place or do they sell replacment pads?
 
wis2ohio said:
Noise lasts for a few secs after going over a pot hole or bump, I have moved the muffler and it does move side to side ( hangers do appear to be loosing stiffness) think I'm gunna try some wire hangers and see if that helps any, I have not tried that catalytic converter as the noise is coming from the rear end but I will take a look at that.
Click to expand...

If you move the muffler side to side, the pipe ahead of the muffler should move with it. If only the muffler is moving, then check the first connecting point between the muffler and the pipe leading to the catalytic converter.

In general the whole thing from the motor to the muffler should not move around easily (should not be loose).
 
The plastic leaf spring contacts are still there, the front part of the muffler tords the motor doesnt move but the end by the rear tires move.

I am so way beyond stumped I am ready to pull the whole bed off and sit on the frame and have someone drive over bumps to see if I can see were the noise comes from I know this isn't a good idea but it's the only thing that I can think of doing at this point.
 
Thanks sierraking I will look into that today and see if that helps.


I did replace the rear shocks as they were beyond working and it helped out alittle with the noise.
 
Replaced my rear shocks the other day and that helped with some of the noise, I checked the collars and they did not move.

Anyone else have anything to try or wanna come over and take a look at it?
 
Finally Figured it out

Well after almost a year of dealing with the noise a back yard mechanic figured out what the noise was in my rear end it was the emergency brake shoes. For those that have a noise that sounds like the muffler is shacking check your emergency brake shoes because mine were gone on both sides and the back plates were both gone.
 
I have a noise in the rear end and it sounds like what your describing and both my e break shoes are bald and have deep ruts on inside where e break pads been rubbing them. I also have a noise that sounds like something is rubbing constantly like I have a rock suck in the rotor or something and I thought this was the e break pads but im not sure.
 
If you haven't done so already talk the e brake pads off and disconnect the cable and zip tie it some were safe now if you do this you have to remember you don't have an ebrake ( by doing this I am not responsible if anything happens in the future) the rock sounds could in fact be a rock between the pads and rotors take it all off and look if there is nothing then you might have a warped set of rotors. Hope this helps
 
what kind of wheels do you have if they have a center cap or hub cap they can make noise of if something is loose in them
check all the bed mounting bolts are they all tight
parking brake will cable very loose it may be hitting something
bumper is its mounts all tight
license plate is it loose
is the spare tire lift is it a cable or a chain, put a towel between the chain and inside the spare (I had to do that on a past truck)
the gas filler neck is it all tight
is there something on top of the gas tank
grab the side of your truck bed and push pull on it to cause it to shake side to side do you hear anything?
PETE
 
I know this may sound like a wild idea but check your emergency brakes if you have rotors all the way around...mine was doing the same thing and it was the emergency brakes the move up and down when going over the bumps they may need to be replaced did mine and all rattle went away....try that see if that helps..i also have a 2001 k1500....
 
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