Help- Leaf Spring Recall, replacement springs are flat! One week old, Others? 05 Prerunner

Hello,

I have an 05 prerunner and I took it into the dealership to get the leaf spring recall done. They confirmed I did have the leaf springs that were having an issue. They replaced them and I noticed the new springs had the truck sitting 1.5 inches lower than it did before hand (they had less curve when installed). I was not going to make a big deal about it. I put some boxes in the back of my truck (100 ish pounds) and I noticed the truck went down more than it normally would, but then after I took the boxes off the truck seemed not to come back up all the way.

Friday I moved my small trailer (like I had done 100 times with the old springs, I have a towing package) and the truck again was sitting lower than normal. After I took the trailer off the truck did not come up. The springs are now flat. I took it back to the dealership and they looked at it and basically said they are supposed to be like that and they may not be able to do anything about it. They said to come back and talk to a manager.

I have never heard that leaf springs 'are supposed to be flat' in addition to not being able to carry anywhere near the weight specs without going flat.

If anyone has this gen taco please post your comments and pictures of your replaced leaf springs. I am trying to decide what course to take from here.

Thank you.

 

Normal my 2015 Sport springs were doing the Reverse C after 6 months.

 

They are supposed to be flat to help with ride comfort. Go look at brand new tacos, they will look the same.

 

I had that swap done, lost about an inch of height at the rear axels. Feels like riding on a sponge now. Replacing suspension all the way around later this year when I put new tires on.

 

My new springs looked just like those, flat. Did they reuse the u-bolts on your truck? I got new ubolts and new bottom plates on both sides.

 

Re-used my u-bolts but installed new bottom plates.

I was told they were supposed to be the same basic springs with the same ride height just with the problem fixed. The old stock leaf springs were very curved and rode about 3-4 inches higher (now that the new springs are flat). They started curved, then went flat with very little weight applied. Now there is about two inches to the bottom of the overload spring. With any weight it will have no actual travel room to the overload spring.

 

Toyota designs them to be flat. If you want better leafs, you'll have to buy them from an aftermarket company or get something like RideRite airbags.

 

It sounds like you had aftermarket springs before they replaced them. My first Toyota Truck was in 1980 and it had flat springs from the factory also.

 

I bought the truck used in 2010. They may have been aftermarket leaf springs, but I had them check my truck before doing the recall and they said it had the stock springs that needed to be replaced....

Not really sure what to do.

 

If they were curved like a smile and was sitting 3 - 4 inches higher chances are they were not stock or had leafs added to increase the arch and height. It sounds like you should have kept the old springs.

 

Fuck it. I'm going Dakar. I dont want flat springs.

 

Go back to the dealer tomorrow morning and demand to get your old Springs back before they're gone.

 

Apparently they throw everything in a scrap pile in the back. Not sure how that is going to go down...

 

Ask to go look through the scrap with them if they put up a fuss. I use to work at a dealership and now work at an import auto place, both places use a few 40 gallon barrels that all the scrap goes in. It's not like they're going to have to go dumpster diving.

 

Another example why I won't do this recall.

 

I just had the leaf springs replaced with the frame recall. I lost a few inches off the back end as well. They added a new adapter to the rear bracket for the leafs on the new frame. They intentionally make it sit 2"-3" lower. I put adjustable Bilsteins up front to accommodate the slightly larger tires. It's only set 1" above stock. I figured the new rear suspension would even it out. Now the front sits noticeably higher than the back. I also put in new shocks since they had the rear apart; no labor for installation. I bought 0"-1" lift shocks thinking I wouldn't need to do anything to the rear. Now I can't even block it up to make it level. Any ideas?

 

I just got a call from the Elmore a few minutes ago and said to come by and get booked for the spring recall- 3 hours wait he said. Guy was cool and told him I'll come by next week. Well folks, after reading all of this "guess what happened after the spring swap- truck dropped down 2"- 3" shit" , I'll pass

 

Just got mine back from having the correct replacement spring set (04005-34404) put on my DCSB 05 Prerunner with the old TSB springs (which were great). The PNs are 48220-04300 (LH) and 48210-04660 (RH). I lost 1/2" of rake compared to the old ones, but hardly noticeable. Will see how they do when I get around to towing my camper. The PNs for the TSB springs were 48220-04210-D (LH) and 48210-04570-D (RH). I asked to get the old ones back but they refused, saying they wanted to make sure they were not re-used. Also impressed that the dealer used all the new parts in the install kit (04005-34104); u-bolts, nuts, spring seat, bumper, and shackle bushings.

 

I just got my '08 TRD Sport DBL Cab back from the recall today as well, and my rear is sitting 1.5"-2" lower. I am putting 5100's on all around, and ordered new Toytec coils to bring the front up 1.5", I'm a little concerned now that it will be nose high. Has anyone installed an add-a-leaf with these new springs yet? I was looking at a Toytec 1.5" add a leaf kit to recoup some of what was lost.

 

I just added a leaf two weeks ago. it brought the back up perfectly. I only set the 5100s about an inch up in the front. OME add a leaf.