Squeak/Groan from Axle

[Mongoose9400]

After my toy hauler sat for a while I noticed a squeak inside the trailer when walking during a cold weather camping trip this past Christmas. I did some investigating and it sounds like the sound is coming from the rear driver axle area. It makes a groan/squeak type sounds as the trailer was rocked back and forth.

Any idea what this could be? I hauled the trailer 800 miles and the sound is still there? It did not get any worse sounding after the 800 mile trip.

[Aireman]

It might be your brake pads. Mine did the same and the x-light stabilizers between the wheels stopped the squeak.

[Dave W]

As impossible as it seems, ours had a squeak, jingle and groan. The spring eye bushings were worn out - the original nylon at 3K miles and the 1st replacements, bronze wet bolts at about 15,000 miles. At ~22,000 miles another bronze set bit the dust. At ~28,000 miles, the current non greaseable Lippert Never Fail Polymide are stll quiet. Yes, the wet bolts were greased about every time the 5er moved - they just don't hold up well either.

[kksfish]

As impossible as it seems, ours had a squeak, jingle and groan. The spring eye bushings were worn out - the original nylon at 3K miles and the 1st replacements, bronze wet bolts at about 15,000 miles. At ~22,000 miles another bronze set bit the dust. At ~28,000 miles, the current non greaseable Lippert Never Fail Polymide are stll quiet. Yes, the wet bolts were greased about every time the 5er moved - they just don't hold up well either.



X-2. What Dave says....springs and or bushings

[Brentw]

X3-suspension bushings.

[travelin texans]

Agree,spring bushings.
Different outcome than Dave though. Replaced the OEM shredded nylon bushings with the MorRyde heavy shackle kit with wet bolts, it came with enough bushings to replace both ends of the springs & equalizer plus a couple spares. Did the replacement at approximately 5k miles & sold 5er with close to 70k miles with same bushings greased monthly & no squeaking or groaning.

[Mongoose9400]

If it’s the suspensions bolts, do they need to be replaced with something of better quality or can they be used as is? The noise doesn’t bother me, just making sure it’s not indicating a problem or potential failure as we haul the trailer down the road.

[JRTJH]

As far as the bushings go, even if they fail or "fall out completley" the suspension will stay together.

On the other hand, if the spring shackles, or bolts are damaged/worn, you may wind up with a failure that will allow the spring to separate from the spring hanger.

I'd suggest a comprehensive inspection to see "exactly what's worn/damaged" and if it's bushings and you want to "live with the noise" I suppose you can (until the metal on metal wear takes its toll). If it is anything other than bushings, you're subject to being stranded on the side of the road if the worn part "lets loose".....

[Dave W]

As far as the bushings go, even if they fail or "fall out completley" the suspension will stay together.



Not true nand poor advice! Way too many instances of not only simple bushing failure but that bushing bolt particularly with the havier towables. Metal to metal wont survive long. Add that to wallowed out and broken thin OEM shackles and failed hangers after (and before) a bolt breakage a bushing failure is a potential for major problems

[JRTJH]

Not true nand poor advice![/B] Way too many instances of not only simple bushing failure but that bushing bolt particularly with the havier towables. Metal to metal wont survive long. Add that to wallowed out and broken thin OEM shackles and failed hangers after (and before) a bolt breakage a bushing failure is a potential for major problems


Please read my ENTIRE post, not just the one sentence. Thanks......

[Mongoose9400]

Thank you for the feedback guys. Looks like I’ll look into upgrading the suspension components. It’s just disappointing that my purchased brand new, 1.5 year old trailer with about 5000 towing miles has already worn through the factory suspension bushings.

[JRTJH]

There are a number of threads on this (and every other RV forum) giving information about the "disappointing nylon bushings", some that failed within 1000 miles. Yet another reason to upgrade to "wet bolts" within the first year or so.

[travelin texans]

Recommend MorRyde heavy shackles with wet bolt kit, comes with 2" thick shackles enough bronze bushings to replace all with a couple spares & great customer service.