I am getting along and giving good information.

In the OP's case, the only way he's going to find out what's wrong is by actually looking, until then anyone posting is making wild shots in the dark.

 

if it started doing it after you installed the steps. I'll bet its your steps. are they the ones that mount on the body mounts? just try greasing them up really good and see if that helps. and even try having some one shake the truck and you get underneath and see where the noise is comin from

 

thanks ramhunter, much appreciated. FYI "rebel", the problem has been going for weeks and i've exhausted all other possibilities. coming on here for help is usually my last source.

by the way, you're the reason internet forums have a bad name. I love this forum and most of the people in it... def the best forum on the net (i've been a part of many)

 

You can feel however you want, but I gave you the same info anyone else would.

You say it's been going on for weeks, was it before or after you installed the steps? If it was after, how do the steps mount?

 

ok lets just settle down "rebel" you have good points and i forgot to welcome you to DF but just know your limits on hear thats all im sayin feel out the group before comminting something stupid. lest just all play nice

and johnny......i hate that kurt bush....dam kid keeps on winning got another one today

 

squeaking started immediately after the step tubes were installed so im positive it has something to do with them (unless its some freak coincidence). They are the westin step tubes, so they bolt up to the body bolts (4 total). I've already tried greasing all 4 bolts, and it didnt make it any better. Not sure what else COULD cause the squeak concerning the step tubes

 

Speaking of noises......a few hours ago I turned into a McDonad's drive-thru and heard a strange metallic sound that appears to be coming from the rear of the truck (rear as in back). It is intermittent and it sounds like when you have a big rock stuck in a tire, except its metallic. And it sounds like an exterior noise, not emanating from inside a component like the transmission or rear end.

I checked underneath the truck and cannot find anything loose. The U-joints appear solid, too. The fact that it is intermittent is what has me stymied, and it appears to go away (or just isn't loud enough to hear) when I'm driving 30+ mph.

Anyone else ever experience this?

 

Are the bolts torqued pretty hard?

Try making a make-shift bushing to buffer where the step mounts could or are rubbing against their mounts.

 

I dont remember cranking on them exceptionally hard, but I didnt want them coming loose either. I tried to mimic what they were torqued to before. I may have to run with that bushing idea. Maybe cut a rubber washer to put between the step tube mount and the metal washer/bolt.

 

Crank on them as hard as you can, within reason, don't put a 4' pipe on your ratchet.

A lot of people have squeaks after doing a body lift because they didn't tighten the bolts up well enough.