Adjustable Spring Plates Creaking Under Load

Just had a quick trip over to Belgium. With the van fully loaded with 2 people in the back, roof rack full and rear of bus full, I get a creaking noise like an old door hinge, from the rear of the bus. My son says it feels like it is coming from under his feet. I think it is the adjustable spring plates.

My bus is lowered one spine at the back with T2d adj spring plates, KYB gas-a-just shocks, and running 15" wheels with 185x65x15 tyres.

I notice it more on acceleration when pulling away. Probably always there, but what with engine and wind noise you can't hear much else.

Anyone else had this?? Could it be something else?

 

Not yet. Bus is now unloaded.

What would I be looking for?

 

Could be the rubber dougnut bushes on the rear torsion bars

 

second on the duffnut bushes

 

If they were replaced when your adjustable spring plates were fitted then its the most likely culprit

Remove them and give them a good coating of silicone spray before refitting and it should quiten them down whilst they bed in

 

Beg to differ .

Take the the spring plates off, whip the big rubber donuts out and give them and the spring plates a good de-greasing. Then dust them with talcum powder only (choice of fragrance is yours) and refit them.

The bushes aren't meant to be lubricated. If they are, they'll squeak like mad (and wear out very quickly). They're meant to be clamped tight in the bush housings and not move at all.

If the bloke that fitted them insists that they're meant to lubed, punch him.

 

Agree as above but check your shock absorber bolts haven't seized in the bushes. Happened with my EZ Rider set up.

 

you weren't riding on the bump stops were you ?

 

Cheers for all the reply's. Few things for me to look at.

Got in at about 11.30pm last night and had to unload all the bus (no garage).

With everything unloaded and with the sliding door open and me bouncing up and down on the rear floor, it does not creak. With it fully loaded, it does creak.

Have not checked if was riding on bump stops.

Here is a pic of it fully loaded.

 

have the bump stops been cut down

 

I am sure that is a the natural stance of a lowered latebay. The earlybay's when lowered, keep that upright stance.
Something in the suspension is longer, forcing the wheels to have more negative camber when lowered.

Hopefully someone can confirm that ?

 

...and reading a few more posts on this thread and seeing the pics - you probably are riding on the bumpstops. At that height if you have more that half the top bulge you have zero suspension. Just done mine and unloaded with half a bulge it's a fine adjustment to retain some suspension - yours looks a bit low... I can just get my finger in unladen witch gives me about 1 1/2" proper suspension.

 

Mine sits lower than that standard, and does not have a problem. Just the extra weight, may have dropped it down a bit too much. Would that make the adj spring plates creak though ??

Pics of height unloaded.

 

Cheers mate, just got a few niggles to sort out.

This creaking noise at the back, fuel gauge not working, and another knocking noise I can't put my finger on.

When I go over speed bumps, or round a slow bumpy bend, something at the back, sounds like it is moving and knocking. At first I thought it was the exhaust hitting the engine bar, but this all looks pretty solid. Maybe its the engine moving, just not sure yet.