Goodbye Axle Wrap Mod

Welcome to Tacoma World @Vulcan!! You make some valid points, and counter points. Those like myself that have chosen to run this simple, yet, effective application must go into this project knowing that it will not be a permanent fix. That being said, there has yet to be found a more cost effective solution, with the exception being those who are only running the u-bolt with tremendous success.

This is cheap, easy, and it works until one is ready to fully upgraded their tired old suspension.

 

Not really... ask the leaf spring mfgr's/design engineers

I'll agree if the clamp were placed nearer to the center bolt
it would be less restrictive/harmful to the individual leaf shift during spring flex.
But many are attempting to reduce their axle wrap by installing them
nearer to the forward spring eye(s).
And that placement will reduce the leaf springs ability to compress or extend as it was engineered/intended to do.

I'm not here to convince anyone... do as you like.
But if it were a such grand idea... the leaf spring mfgr's would be offering it for their profit.
But they don't and their shackle designs do not limit the individual leaf shift/movement.

Because people are cheap and fail to spend the money required to do things right.

Positive review from folk that haven't a clue are meaningless to me.

Actual leaf spring failure or breakage may not occur.

But it could if the suspension were bottomed out hard enough or
if fatigue caused breakage due to excessive load weight.

In clamping the individual leafs and restricting their necessary movement
the individual leafs could move... but not return to their static height (position)
Thus restricting the suspension from rising back up to it's static position.

Ignoring leaf spring engineering design and it's needed shift/movement...
Clamping can cause limitation/restriction to both compression/extension
especially if that clamp were not placed adjacent to the center bolt.

But if placed near the center bolt of the leaf springs...
it will do little - nothing to reduce axle wrap.
So what's the point ?

When a suspension component is worn out and needs repair or replacement...
Throwing a bandaide at that is not a proper solution...
and can cause more wear/damage to that component causing it to be un-rebuildable.

Based on what you believe is acceptable.

 

I appreciate your willingness to share your knowledge of this subject, and thank you for your contribution to the ongoing conversation. I would like to kindly suggest that if your choose to exercise your right to pick apart a post sentence by sentence, that you look deeper into the 14+ pages of this post instead of selecting the new member who quite literally joined this forum to post pics of his newly completed mod.

Debate over opinions is one thing, but line by line breakdowns are simply poor form, and do not represent what Tacoma World stands for, which is community of enthusiasts for this awesome truck. If you do not agree with our mod choices, then you are free to tell us, but please do so while also considering that we are also equals, adults, and at least smart enough to own a Tacoma (which makes us at a minimum above average intelligence!!).

 

Thank's iDigTulsa....TacoDell, all on this forum I believe joined to share and exchange ideas not to be criticized. When doing a project I spend considerable time researching options. This includes looking at this forum to see what others have done. Collective knowledge can be invaluable and that's what we're here for. As the 15 pages of this post pretty much agree on is this fix is not a permanent one. Many on the forum agree, the leaf springs on the first gen Tacoma weren't great...re-engineering is a constant and I for one appreciate member ingenuity. If you don't, that's your prerogative. I'll continue to seek and appreciate the input of like minded individuals.

 

What a fascinating multi-page oddysey!

I took the incredibly minor leap and slapped some clamps on my leaf springs last week. About six inches in front of the axle, i.e. far enough that it shouldn't (I hope) interfere with the passenger side shock absorber.

And the ride is definitely smoother! Thanks all.

 

I have a 2008 Tacoma TRD 2wd pre-runner that exhibits the thunk/clunk. I'm somewhat mechanically inclined but not a "real" mechanic. Have heard to axle wrap and/or splines binding in the slip yoke could cause this. Has anyone tried this mod?

 

Suspension isn't something to bandaid, regardless it isnt responsible to drive with substandard parts. Its no joke for real, lives at steak, the stock leafs have a very short life, they will bend upside down after time. Thats the que to park the truck, not cheap out, and get a new leaf pack. If the leaves dont look like a smile there done, time for the scrapyard. The permanent fix would be upgraded leaves or a triangulated four link with King coilovers.

 

Im here for the steak

 

Torque ur u bolts to 75lbs, make sure u have the recall done.
Try an add a leaf...
I have no axle wrap after the tsb leafpack and icon progressive aal.

 

I'm hungry now, fillet mignon w/bacon wrap anyone?

 

When you stop wandering the U.S. hit me up and we'll barbecue some good stuff when in Ca. Ill get some fillets!

 

Deal!
And a tri tip

 

Absolutely!

 

I tried the leaf clamp method and it didn't work for my 2000 PreRunner. In addition, the clamps loosened up over time and started banging around and the leaves themselves shifted in their brackets. I don't think this is a proper repair by a longshot. I replaced the stock springs (mine had 150K miles on them) with Dorman replacements and the Dormans are worse, and noisy. I'd go with a more robust set but I don't want any lift in the rear that I'm gonna have to duplicate in the front. So I clunk on.

 

My bud built track bar finally rid me of wrap without the increased spring rate feeling I got from this mod. In hindsight I wish I just bought the filthy Motorsport comfort package, its right up my alley. Add a leaf and icons is too stiff.

 

Details please!

 

Odd, my icon progressive aal rides plush

 

Not knocking Icon, its like buying an F350 and complaining about MPGs. Icon doesn't hide their valving curve/dyno, and my hat is off as to what they are trying to do, be a jack of all trades valving. But i've learned I want my ride to be boaty, fluffy and plush, I don't want to feel what I'm driving over. That said, IMO I owe Icon valving saving my ass on the freeway when I had to swerve away from some ass merging into me- if my ride was more boaty, I'd probably lost control. The sucky part of what they are trying to achieve is there is a speed range off-road where you feel every damn little thing. A low-speed stack change is supposed to fix this, but then at that point might as well just have linear valving and a King setup.

A buddy came back from a deployment, bought an old 4runner and was asking for advice, then sends me some filthy motorsports youtube vids, I check out their site and they have a comfort package- kings up front, deavers and 5100s in the rear. I think that is the ride I've been looking for- soak up all the things. I should do an LT build, just too cheap.

 

I have wheelers 3 leaf AAL, probably really similar to Icons, and all the reviews say it softened the ride (I did not retain the overload spring), so I think when one's original leaf pack is as beat as mine, it makes the combo sit at a state that being progressive is a bit stiff. IMO its more the valving, I had 5125s and those were harsh as hell (*edit IMO it's more the aal and not the 5125s), going to Icon shocks helped, but I think the filthy motorsports package would nail it- overall would have been cheaper too (Icon + AAL + buds track bar vs front king, rear deaver+5100).