2004 DII Knocking in Rear

[ronward]

I have RTE 2" HD lift with Bilsteins on my 2004 DII, along with RTE rear bumper and gas tank skid plate. Just recently I have been experiencing a knocking sound from the rear of the truck on bumpy pavement or body roll. At first I thought it was loose rear bumper, so i tightened it up. Sound persists. Tried cleaning and oiling the hinges and seals around the rear cargo door, sounds persist. So I don't think it is the bumper or the door. I searched the forums and saw a couple posts about rear links. My SE has no ACE, just the Watts link rear end. Anyone have experience with this wearing and knocking?

The knock sounds exactly like the rear door latch mechanism is loose or ill-adjusted. I've looked it over, tried to tighten, and it appears to be tight and operates properly.

Any ideas?

atriot:

 

[MtclimberVT]

Check the harmonic balancer on the rear diff, they come loose and rattle and eventually fall off, just something that happened on my truck

Mikeatriot:

 

[RoverInTheRockies]

I had a strange knocking on mine that was comming from the rear and the front... turns out the shock bolts/nuts had loosened (I ran out of loctite)

So check them...

Chris

 

[craig]

If the rear-end feels kinda loose and it is a clunk more than a rattle, the bushings on the watts linkage might be worn.

A crowbar is your friend.

 

[austin15]

What bilstiens do you have? If it is the 7100s it is most likely them.

 

[pschuler]

Check your shock bushings or heim joints. They may be worn out.

 

[rovercanus]

Watts linkage. Lay under the back of the truck facing the center of the rear axle. Have someone rock it from side to side. If the bushings are worn you'll be able to tell.
This is a common failure especially with lifted trucks.
You can let it go for a bit but if it goes for too long the bolt will bend making it a bitch to remove.

 

[ronward]

I will try all these suggestions...sure sounds like the rear door though...weird.

 

[Steph]

I'd check shocks, spare tire and rear jump seats ( if you have 'em of course)

 

[ronward]

man...I tried it all Sunday afternoon. Shocks are tight top and bottom. Normal play in the bushings, but I tried to tighten up everything under the rear end. I inspected the exhaust again, no probs there. I crowbar'd the springs top and bottom, they are seated properly. I took a rubber mallet to the underside of the rear bumper, nothing. Same for the fuel tank skid plate, nothing.

So I re-addressed the rear door. The little foam pad located in the door jam and just below the stricker bar mechanism was loose and had slipped down to rest on the striker plate top. So I relocated it properly, and then adjusted the striker plate back some, maybe 1/4 inch and now the rear door closes with a solid "thunk" with no play in it.

Test drive today yielded none of the same sounds as before, but it's very cold today so I'll let the sun heat up the rear end some and see if the noise comes back. If it does, I'm stumped....

 

[rmuller]

did you try what Walter suggested? Watts linkage.. it makes a very defined clunk, and if someone else is rocking the truck and you're looking, you can see it kind of dislocate.

 

[adriatic04]

reviving an old thread here. I believe this is my symptom, clunk with body roll side to side.

I need someone to rock the truck when I lay under it, so far I have been able to check the rest of the culprits myself with no avail.

What is the best way to go about changing this? new bushing kit and have it pressed it? What exactly do I need to do? Sounds like a straight forward fix except for the need for a press, huge breaker bar and torque wrench.

 

[Brianawd]

I have the same thing going on. Mine is more of a loud rattle going over bumps and rough roads. I think it is the 7100 but they are brand new. So I will give the watts a check and report back.

 

[Urban Panzer]

reviving an old thread here. I believe this is my symptom, clunk with body roll side to side.

I need someone to rock the truck when I lay under it, so far I have been able to check the rest of the culprits myself with no avail.

What is the best way to go about changing this? new bushing kit and have it pressed it? What exactly do I need to do? Sounds like a straight forward fix except for the need for a press, huge breaker bar and torque wrench.

This may be of help to you.

http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Watts%20Linkage%20Bushes.html

 

[adriatic04]

This may be of help to you.

http://www.discovery2.co.uk/Watts%20Linkage%20Bushes.html

thanks, great write up, I had read the whole thing.

Unfortunately I do not think a bearing press rental tool will suffice for pressing these bad boys out. Before tackling this I wanted to make sure I had a last resort shop to take the linkage for pressing but havent been successful yet.

At this point I am probably going to take this to a shop and have them do it.