Squeaky Dakars : Any advice from others with the Dakars ?

...uh I installed them in the garage, really cramped condition.
got up off the floor at 1030, just a few minutes ago, after threading on the last shackle bolt nut. I again placed ubolts to keep the pin placed, easily bolted the front mount, then used the factory jack placed between the top leaf and the driver side upper shock mount ( as seen on BJmoose thread) to lower the rear of the leaf pack and shackle into a boltable position.

 

*vintage style. I need to post a pic of the box containing my Homeroshi in the rafters. I think it is coming up on 3 years. Like a high-end bourbon.

 

Finally prepping mine. Still doesnt sit well I have to clean the rust off new set of leafs.

Paint still wet.

 

looks good. you'll be happy to have them mounted.

 

admittedly I did not put thoughtful planning into the rear axle. so in hindsight, I'm giving it some thought. right now I can not tell if driveline vibes occur. I have the CB drop kit on the shelf somewhere. as to shims, maybe i should have thought about that earlier.

 

My Dakar is finally squeaking!

 

Welcome to the club

 

Despite the extensive prefurbishment work, with the pond liner EPDM stuff, it only lasted 41 days, and 1000 miles.

Some leaves held the EPDM better than others. Nevertheless, I drove the leaves apart, cleaned it all out, and sprayed it with the dry moly lube.

Hopefully I won't have any more squeaks for a while, and I won't have to murder something.

 

Hahaha it does get annoying

 

Honestly I wish I had drilled holes in the leaves and installed the mechanical silencer pads.

Mechanical adhesion seems like the only way for permanent success.

The Toyota TSB leaves had them installed. They were completely squeak and maintenance free for six years.

 

Mine last about a year

 

.....I was thinking...and I suspect thinking about something alters objective perspective, but, that, none the less, it were'nt the Dakar leaf packs that was/is squeaking.....instead the rest of the truck was squeaking under influence of Dakar leaf pack placement.

 

NO. The OEM leaf pack was a direct rip-off of a 1968 Buick Riviera, in other words, a cushy as sheet softy ride. Put the Dakar pack in, the rest of the truck responds with wimpy squeaky syndrome.

 

Agreed. I love the soft ride of the OME kit with Dakars compared to the go-kart suspension in the TRD Sports.

FWIW I did the OZ squeak fix and looped the pond liner back on itself and it has already backed off partially. The Dakars are rejecting the transplant. There's still rubber in there though and no squeaks reported.

 

I like the Dakars. 800 miles of pavement, enjoy the firm ride.

 

Me too. I really like them. Massive improvement over factory hardware. I like them on pavement. The two off-road trips I've done thus far, they've been excellent. The next test for mine are a camping trip where loaded heavy, so it'll be interesting to see just how it rides.

Last test is longevity, based on past reports of others I'm sure I'll be happy.

For the price, I think the Dakar's are a tremendous value.

 

Heavy camp load (12 days) towing in Utah. Rode great, love 'em.

 

^^
cool trailer

 

Indeedy doody. Burr Trail approaching the hike to Strike Valley Overlook and the switchbacks down to Notom Road junction.


/threadjack

 

4K+ miles on the Dakars, and the squeak got annoying. Bought the kit from post #143, installed the EDPM with adhesive backing in the OZ-T location, and blessed silence ensued.
Thanks to OZ-T for getting this figured out!