New Info About Rear Leaf Springs??

Long time reader/watcher here but only just signed up. Love this place and have learned tons, so thanks for building and maintaining a great community.

Anyway....

About 2 years ago I got the frame replacement letter in the mail followup by the rear leaf spring letter. I took the truck in (a 2006) and was told that I would be receiving a new frame and new springs. Very exciting. 9 months later (and three different rentals) I had the truck back. Was very happy with the work, though the truck was noticeably bouncier when empty (to be expected with an additional leaf, I guess).

Now a couple weeks ago, I got the letter about the propeller shaft u joints and called my dealership for more info, expecting to hear exactly what everyone else hears "we'll look at them but if you don't need them, you gotta pay $$" But what surprised me was that the woman I spoke with said that my rear leafs were never replaced! That was surprising since they look new, and there are 4 or them now instead of 3. But she said bring it in, they do the springs and look at the u-joint for free at the same time. Didn't want to argue. I followed up with them yesterday and was now told that the leafs were in fact replaced but now the hardware (clamps/brackets/whatever) needs to replaced. Apparently when they did the springs the first time, Toyota approved reusing the original hardware. Now that hardware needs to be replaced, but that apparently also means I need new springs again?? What the heck is this about? Not really complaining, but it just seems so wasteful.

Long winded post. Any info? Any shared experiences here? Thanks folks.

 

When they did my springs they replaced all the associated hardware at the time. I have not heard of them only replacing the springs and not the hardware. Sounds like they may of been CYAing for a bozo mistake there in not replacing the hardware at the time of replacement. In fact I think the recall specifically outlines everything that will be replaced.

 

My 2008 has had the rear springs replaced two times. The first time I requested it. They were replaced under the harsh ride TSB. Then they were replaced under another TSB that addressed the problem of a leaf breaking and possibly puncturing the gas tank. This set of leafs had additional banding clamps.

 

Same here, I am on my 3rd set of leaf springs from Toyota.

 

Crazy stuff. At least they are committed, or seem to be committed, to making us happy. My spring have been on there for only a couple thousand miles. What do you think they do with them?

 

It wasn't a TSB that addressed the breaking but a Recall. There is a big difference between the 2. Recall is required by law for the manufacturer to cover TSB is just a bulletin saying there is a problem and the manufacturer may or may not repair for free.

 

Toyota corporate will either do one of 2 things call for them to be sent back or told to destroy them you are not allowed to keep any parts that were replaced under warranty and by law not allowed to from a recall.

 

I figured. Thanks for the info.