After installing Smittybilt's Modular Sure-Step side steps (part# CN1190-S4B) a very pronounced body creak developed in the front end of my 2002,1500, Z71 4x4.
The problem was due to metal on metal contact between the Smittybilt brackets and the Avalanche's front cab mount metal hangers. (This is the metal part that partial surrounds each cab mount's bushing and bolt hole.
The solution was to remove both Smittybilt front brackets and grind down the contact areas.
I might add that before figuring out what was going on, I called Smittybilt tech support and they claimed "they have never received a complaint about creaking noises before and had no idea what to tell me to do about it."
Hope this helps someone with a similar problem.
pv
The problem was due to metal on metal contact between the Smittybilt brackets and the Avalanche's front cab mount metal hangers. (This is the metal part that partial surrounds each cab mount's bushing and bolt hole.
The solution was to remove both Smittybilt front brackets and grind down the contact areas.
I might add that before figuring out what was going on, I called Smittybilt tech support and they claimed "they have never received a complaint about creaking noises before and had no idea what to tell me to do about it."
Hope this helps someone with a similar problem.
pv