New suspension 2008 gmc sierra 1500, still loose

oldschool87

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10:28a, 7/3/25

AG

Mechanic friend and I replaced, shocks, springs, all ball joints, upper and lower arms, tie rods and sway bar bushings. Definitely rides better, however, I still feel like the whole entire front end is just loose. If I go over a rise, or ledge or go across like a brick entry way to a subdivision the front just feels loose.

It drives fine, tows fine. It feels like the bolts on the uppers and lowers are not tight enough, but they are, I have checked everything 3 times. I get the truck is old, but, something is just not right.

All parts were verified by 3 different people, all fit perfectly. Zero issues, 3 hours and 20 minutes and we were done.

What am I missing?

Silvy

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10:35a, 7/3/25

AG

Loose like rattles or does it feel like it floats.

oldschool87

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In reply to Silvy • 10:37a, 7/3/25

AG

Silvy said:
Loose like rattles or does it feel like it floats.

Rattles, like its about to fall off....
Was main reason I replaced everything... was doing the same thing as before.

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Silvy

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10:43a, 7/3/25

AG

Get it in the air and start jiggling stuff. Looks like you replaced about everything except hubs which are known to go bad & rattle.

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oldschool87

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In reply to Silvy • 10:50a, 7/3/25

AG

Silvy said:
Get it in the air and start jiggling stuff. Looks like you replaced about everything except hubs which are known to go bad & rattle.

You know... damn it. I bought them and he said they were good. I was like they got 180K on them...

!@#$!@#$!%@#$%!#$%$^$%&^*%^$%!!!!!!!!!!!

It was on a lift, we jiggled, but that makes perfect sense. But the sterring could not be any tighter, and it drives straight as an arrow.

But, litterally what else could it be? There is nothing left.

dubi

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In reply to oldschool87 • 10:56a, 7/3/25

Silvy

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10:57a, 7/3/25

AG

RIP

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Rearview

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11:06a, 7/3/25

AG

Check your hood - latches, springs, etc. It can rattle and make a lot of noise, but has nothing to do with your suspension or driving. Also check things like heat shields, can also make a lot of noise.

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TSW2012

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7:51a, 7/4/25

AG

Did you check steering rack for play?
If not, hubs wouldn't shock me at that age and miles.

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Jack Boyett

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7:58a, 7/4/25

AG

My '06 with about 235k does the same thing.

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CenterHillAg

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10:37a, 7/4/25

AG

Did you check the rag joint? It might be wore out and allow some slop in the steering.

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JP76

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1:55p, 7/4/25

Does that year still have an idler arm ?

I know pre 1999 did

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Greenchiles

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1:43p, 7/16/25

AG

I'll take a stab at it. I think I know what rattle you're talking about. You can really hear it when you go over bumps etc.

What I did:

I took my calipers apart and dug out the rubber piece on the inside that receives the slide pins. Pulled them out with 90 degree pick and put new ones in and applied sil-glyde on the slide pins and hole. I've read higher mileage vehicles wear that rubber out and can cause the noise.

I also got some CRC Disc Brake Quiet and applied it to the area on the pads that contact the caliper cylinders and used sil-glyde on the pad guides on each end.

I've read that if the pads are loose (not glued on with the CRC) the ends with the guide profiles can "egg out" over time and make that rattle sound.

Anyway, I don't know what exactly fixed it but it's completely gone.

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1agswitchin4lanes

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In reply to Greenchiles • 2:25p, 7/16/25

AG

Greenchiles said:
I'll take a stab at it. I think I know what rattle you're talking about. You can really hear it when you go over bumps etc.

What I did:

I took my calipers apart and dug out the rubber piece on the inside that receives the slide pins. Pulled them out with 90 degree pick and put new ones in and applied sil-glyde on the slide pins and hole. I've read higher mileage vehicles wear that rubber out and can cause the noise.

I also got some CRC Disc Brake Quiet and applied it to the area on the pads that contact the caliper cylinders and used sil-glyde on the pad guides on each end.

I've read that if the pads are loose (not glued on with the CRC) the ends with the guide profiles can "egg out" over time and make that rattle sound.

Anyway, I don't know what exactly fixed it but it's completely gone.

You can buy a caliper hardware kit with new pins.

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Greenchiles

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In reply to 1agswitchin4lanes • 3:40p, 7/16/25

AG

That's kind of what I did, from RA. I bought a couple of kits since one didn't have everything I wanted. The overlap came in handy though since I cut a boot for the slide bolt. I was using a socket to tap them on and got in a hurry and pinched the rubber.