Creaking noise when turning, accelerating, braking...

[Linger1974]

Hi all,

I own a 2000 Jimmy 4 door SLT. It's fairly new, and only has about 65k on the odometer. The truck developed a creaking sound right after I bought it (at about 60k). Now, it appears that the creaking sound is related to the flexing of the frame under load (accelerating, braking, turning, and hitting large bumps or irregularities in the road). When driving straight and at speed, there is no creaking at all. At lower speeds though, driving in the above conditions, I hear it constantly. Also, it appears to be worse in colder weather, which also leads me to believe that it could be something plastic involved.

The truck is completely rust free, and has been through a thorough suspension / drivetrain checkup, with no faults or problems that would result in a creaking sound that I am experiencing.

I've done some checking on the inside and outside of the general area of the creaking, and I've come up with a couple of initial possibilities.

1. The moulding around the bottom of the truck appears to be riveted to the metal on the underside, but I can't see how it's held in place under the door. The driver's side moulding doesn't move at all, but the top part of the moulding (located right at the edge of the floor, under the closed passenger door) moves quite a bit, and has a creaking sound to it, when a small amount of pressure is applied.

2. The interior door panel also provides a small amount of creaking when some pressure is applied to the top corner, or when the handle (inside) is moved either in or out.

Now, there was also something fixed on the truck when I bought it, something located inside the panel located at the passenger's feet (just inward of the door, under the glove box), and that's a possibility also.

I'd love to know anyone's thoughts on these possibilities. Any posts are very much appreciated!

Mark

[Linger1974]

Hi all,

Turns out, the creaking was the pin / bushing in the door hinge. I had ruled this out, when I opened the door, and tried to duplicate the sound. The problem was, when I opened the door, the pin / bushing rotated a bit, so that there was no metal on metal contact and therefore, the sound wasn't duplicated. It would only creak when the door was shut, and I was not able to test in the closed condition.

Anyhow, the dealer replaced the pin and bushing and all is fine now. Just thought people would like to know. Also, it cost me just over $200.00 CDN to do it, so I think next time one of these goes on the truck, I'll be either shopping around, or doing it myself after purchasing the spring compressor.

Mark