still have a clunk in the rear/ whole truck

[benoit454]

Well guys I posted awhile back about having a clunk or thump in the 84 c10 we got, it's supposed to have a locking rear in it factory. Now my monte carlo had a mini spool and busted teeth in the rear and done that while you pushed it, this truck only does it at slow speeds it seems like rolling forward in traffic, just after using the brakes and more so when you turn. It seems to be worse at times or worse here lately, but now when there's a load on the truck we thought it be worse, but it wasn't. We had about 50 2x4's and about 12 sheets or more of 4x8x1/2 drywall on it and other stuff and it was squatting in the back but had no clunk at all.

We put new brakes on it, had drums turned and replaced ONLY one wheel cylinder, I know you aint supposed to do that. Put on new wheels and tires, no brakes, rotors, and bearings up front, checked all the front end parts, nothing was bad.

Some said maybe the transmission was doing it, a bushing or something, there's no noise, just the whole truck thumps forward like somebody is kicking the tires or something.

Now we haven't checked inside the rear end yet but maybe it's a bearings inisde? We been thinking it's an axle bearing or something? maybe carrier bearings? Anyway to test without gutting it to see? Right now it's been cold and it's the only thing we got to haul stuff or pretty much drive this winter.

Now today while changing tires to the snow tires, i found that the rear spring hanger is rotted on the driver's side, it's the part attached to the frame that the shackle attachs too. Could that be what's doing it?

Also I've checked brothers, classic parts, and a few others and LMC is the ONLY one I found to have that frame bracket/hanger, anyone else know who has em other then gm?

Any help guys would really help us out.

[James McClure]

100% spring hangers are your noise/shudder/lerch problem. I'm surprised the rear end is still a rear end and not a lawn ornament, LOL. Just kidding. You won't get the parts from GM, to old now. If you use LMC, they should be OK. After your done chopping the rivets out, grind the frame and paint it a few coats, same with the new parts and while everything is still a little tacky bolt all the new parts in with at least grade 5 bolts. Grade 8 would be better. After it's done, hit it with a few more coats of paint. I'm an old military guy, If it moves, salute it. If it don't move, paint it. LOL jim

[benoit454]

Well about 2 years ago I bought a front spring hanger for an 86 4x4 on the back end and it was availible thru gm and I found it online thru a gm dealer cheaper. But $30 bucks for the lmc one aint bad at all.

I always paint everything, LOl I guess it's a curse but I just love haveing everything painted.

Done the same on the 4x4, used grade 8's with loctite and double nuts on the inside, then painted it all again.

[benoit454]

Well we had a front hanger bad in the 86 we had and it was in worse shape then this one and even after we put a new one on it had a launch clunk or something.

This one being in the back and the shackle on it makes it lurch or hop since it flexs and it's rusted? It's got holes in front of and behind the bottom shackle bolt but on top and bottom are fine.

[James McClure]

Chris: Check all your spring hangers and shackels. Replace all the ones that are rusted badly. While they are off, check the frame and make sure it's OK. If it isn't your going to have to weld in gusset plates to restore the frame before installing new parts. P.O.R. and paint everything BEFORE & AFTER repairs are made. jim

[benoit454]

well frame is good and only thing bad is that one driver's side rear hanger, rest are great. of course that one looked good when we bought the truck too. Only been a year ago.