Think I have Axle Wrap...Need a Mechanic Recommendation

[amasih]

I've had my 99 Pre-Runner for a couple months now, and the dreaded "Axle Wrap" is bugging me. On top of that, I do have a feeling that I need new shocks for the truck (looks like it might be the original bilsteins after 123K miles).

So I made the mistake of going to the local dealer to have them check out the frame for recall and also to advise me on the shock/leaf spring issue. I ended up walking out of there with a new timing belt/water pump and front brake rotors. I know, I should have just left, but they actually wanted to do a whole lot more stuff to it, and I know I did need new front brakes and, well, if the timing belt wasn't done...anyway, trying to convince myself I'm not as dumb as I thought.

Also, they didn't mark anything down about the frame inspection on the work order. I told him to do it, and he said it looked fine. I just hope they actually did do the inspection. Of course, this has been a SE truck away from the water since day one, so I'm prob OK.

So...I don't want to go back there to have someone comment on the leaf spring/shock issue again, and am looking for a mechanic in the Atlanta area that I can trust to look at this issue and tell me what's going on. I called one place yesterday and asked about "Axle Wrap" and explained to him what it was according to what I read here, and he said "Well, the Internet is good for a lot of things...car advice is not one of them. I don't know what you're talking about and I've never heard of leaf springs going out on a Tacoma".

And he's a "Toyota-only" mechanic. UGH!

So, any recommendations?

Thanks.

[humanoid]

He's a moron. If you really want to get rid of axle wrap, order a set of new leaf springs or a traction bar on line and get them installed somewhere other than a dealer.

[luk8272]

+ 1 ^

[amasih]

OK. I'm fine with doing that. Any recommendations on leaf springs to get and shocks? I don't do any off-roading, etc., so not looking to lift the truck up, but I do like the current ride height.

Then, if anyone still has any recommendations of a good shop in Atlanta, I'd appreciate it.