Driveline Vibration After Leaf Spring Recall?

Hi TW,

I am experiencing vibration on acceleration from any speed. The truck is 2006 DCSB 4x4 with OME 887s upfront. It gets real bad if I accelerate really hard. It eases once I get off the gas but at highway speeds it still vibrates.

The vibration started after I got the leaf spring recall, which made the back sit significantly lower from my previous setup. The previous setup was a stock 4 leaf setup. Before the recall, I must admit I heard a clunk sometimes when going into reverse.

My thoughts:
1. Rear sitting lower started vibration
Or
2. Conincidence and issue is something else

Any thoughts on this?

Note: the after picture is unloaded


Before


After

 

Take it back and tell the dealer.

Was your rear suspension all stock (that's what I'm reading). If so, ask why it's lower.

 

My

The original leafs were stock. I had a slight take off shudder that everyone talks about but nothing to make me not want to drive it.

They did disclose it would sit slightly lower but not so much. They kept insisting I had an aftermarket AAL but I told them it came with 4 leafs when it was new in 2006.

 

I'm thinking universal joint, considering the consequences of one letting go on the highway it is worth checking. A slight change in the angle could be revealing the u-joint problem... I say this because you said the vibration lessens when you lighten up the gas pedal.

To check the u-joints you should remove the drive shaft from the truck and manipulate them looking for slop or binding. If one is found worn replace them all as the others aren't far behind.

 

Does sound exactly like a u joint issue causing the vibration and clunk.

I will have to read the leaf spring bulletin at work tomorrow, the 4 leaf spring set is very different then the 3 leaf others, which may explain the height difference you are experiencing

 

I was thinking of doing that, but having it checked out by an indie shop first armed with knowledge.

So not that the driveline angle caused the vibration but possibly exposed a pre-existing problem?

Thank you, Ty, for looking into this. I was thinking of adding an add a leaf or going back to the original leaf springs that I had. It looks hideous with how squatted the back is.

 

That is what I'm thinking.

You have an 06 and have the joints ever been replaced?

Or Greased on a regular basis?

 

What do you want to bed they installed the incorrect springs for your truck? do you have the paperwork with part #'s or shoot me your vin.

 

I PM'd you, Ty. Before installing the 4leaf, the dealership had called me saying the recall only covered a 2 leaf system. Later they called me to confirm it was a 4leaf

 

TRD Sports came with a 3+1 leaf pack always.

Is your truck a TRD Sport or a TRD OR? (i see trd or stickers but a hood scoop?!?! does it have a factory rear locker?).... if it was a "4 leaf pack" but is a TRD OR you had an AAL in there hence why it was so much taller to begin with.

Check to see if you have a carrier bearing spacer and take that out to move the CB back up and correct driveline angles.

 

The truck is neither Sport or TRD off road. It's an SR5 with an LSD. No CSB spacer and somehow it came with 4 leafs from the Yuma, AZ dealership in 2006. I know this because the truck has been in our family for almost 11 years.

 

SR5 and i bet it has a tow package. (only other way you were getting a 3+1 leaf pack)

Very odd that you lost that much height in the rear with the new TSB pack

 

That before pic definitely it'll looks lifted some way I he rear.

 

It did come with a tow package.

There was no lift in the back. Might be the picture and pavement angle. It definitely sat nose-high with the Bilsteins at 0 and OME 887s. With the Bilsteins at 0.85 it had a rake.

 

Notes from dealer


E02-INSPECT & REPLACE REAR SPRING LEAF ASSEMBLY-TACOMA ~|~SAFETY RECALL E02 - REMEDY NOTICE CERTAIN 2005-2011 MODEL YEAR TACOMA PRE-RUNNER AND 4X4 VEHICLES REAR LEAF SPRING. ~|~E02 ~|~187647 210 INSPECTED AND REPLACED REAR LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLIES PER E02 SSC ***ADD A LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLIES REMOVED. PUT IN BACK OF TRUCK. RIDE HEIGHT IS OUT OF SPECS. ***RECOMMEND CASTER ADJUSTMENT AFTER RIDE HEIGHT IS CORRECTED. ***SEE REPORT ((CUSTOMER



So looks like they used the regular spring set do you have a picture of what they left in the truck

 

Please excuse the messy bed

Did they use the right leaf springs?

 

I've never seen one of the 4 spring packs to be honest someone else will need to chime in

 

I replace the CSB and U-joints about 50k ago. Like an idiot, I did not grease them at all even though they have grease zerks. I have never replaced any joints in the front diff.

 

I thinks it has to do with your driveline angels. There is a lot of info out there about it and I had the same vibration and finally figured out the right shim to use and mine went away

 

I'm curious to find the outcome and learn some new stuff about older trucks and their factory leaf pack options.