Creaking Issues and Twisted Driveshaft Boot

[DirkPiggler]

I've been having major creaking coming from the front of my 22PW since I got it (bought it used in December). It has a 2" BDS lift/level with Fox 2.0 ifp all around. Whenever I hit a speedbump or pothole or anything that might cause the tiniest bit of flex, I get a horrible creaking noise - it doesn't sound entirely metallic, more like the noise you get if you rub 2 superballs together. After light off-roading (bumps and ruts and whoops at my farm), the creaking announces itself loudly and the front end just sounds like it's dying. I checked all the rubber things (bushings, ball joints, those things at the top and bottom of the coil spring) for signs of dryrot, hit them with some pb blast for moisture and no change.

Because I'm not sure what all the previous owner did to/with the truck and because I don't know when the suspension got changed during the 75k miles he put on it, I was thinking about just yanking it out and doing a complete thuren/fox 2.0 suspension with coils. Before I go and blow $2500 on parts, is there anything else to check?

Also, I noticed the boot around the front driveshaft twisted and gnarly. Is it something else I need to address? Thanks for the help - I'm just trying to save my wife a few bucks since she makes all the money.


Truck at the farm for cred...

 

[el_barto]

I would try and get that boot properly re-seated. Cut the band, readjust, install new band. Otherwise it will may tear sooner than it should, and that could be more expensive. If your truck is still under warranty you may be able to get it replaced under warranty.

Regarding the squeak…perhaps the spring is squeaking/ not properly seated in the perch/isolator?

 

[2powerwagons]

Hard to say without seeing the truck. It looks like something got wrapped around the driveshaft at some point.
It's not unheard of to have a ball joint going bad at those miles. They tend to groan when you turn the wheel lock to lock when sitting still as a symptom of being dry.
@ 75K I would be giving the front axle joints a real close look. I never got much noise out of them even when bad though.