Need Help Quick-Dakar add a leaf

Good Morning, (I also posted in suspension forum)

I am adding an extra leaf to Dakar pack. I contacted headstrong, I have the correct leaf, truck is at the shop.

Mechanic called and said I needed some type cushion or pad (for squeeking) in between the new leaf and old.

Is this true? Can't the leaf just slide in?

I dropped truck off and took an Uber, I don't wan't to waste the day any advice is appreciated.

On this thread I did not see the guy add a cushion or pad
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bjmoose-installs-full-ome-kit-rear-brake-lines-with-pics.115775/


Thanks

 

You can have them put it in, but like they stated it will squeak without pads. most Dakar springs do anyways. Lot of complaints on here about squeaky Dakar's.

 

Would it be worth it to order pads then install? I have no squeak now, I don't want to make a problem. thanks.

 

I would tend to agree. Put them in when I added to mine and they still squeak sometimes....

 

Shit...thanks. Any leads on where to get them? I don't see on Headstrong website.

 

I pulled the silencers and rectangular spacer plate (that goes around the centering pin) from my stock leafs and they fit just fine.

You just have to disassemble the stock leaf which is easy enough to do

 

Get them from ARB... you might be able to just slide them in after the install.... Jack up the truck, droop suspension, use a pry bar to separate the leafs and slide the yellow disc right in... That is how I clean and grease mine to prevent squeaking.

 

My add a leafs came with them...there is a TSB for the factory leafs. Not sure if they'd work the same...
TSB 0273-17
part # 04007-39104

 

https://www.autozone.com/collision-...nsulator/duralast-leaf-spring-pads/227517_0_0

 

Install the aal without them. It’s fine. And later on you can easily add them without disassembling the leaf pack if you please. I dont have the pads on mine

 

The isolator isn't totally necessary, but the above link is probably the best solution towards a "permanent" fix. Holes may need to be drilled so depending on the shop they may or may not want to install them. FWIW, the majority of sqeaking in Dakars comes from the spring eye bushings. This happens on the old style leaf pack with the pressed in rubber bushing as well as new with poly bushings. It's part of regular maintenance but more of an annoyance rather than an announcement of impending failure.

See here for more info:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/change-the-front-bushings-in-your-dakars.479071/

 

Lol, from coast to coast, @EatSleepTacos is the man!! Lord of the wrench has spoken

 

Dakars are literally a squeak machine man. I’ve tried everything, you just give up.

To answer your question, yes you can open the pack up, shove a leaf in there, and close it back up. I swear you’ll never have them not squeak though...But you can try what @whatstcp said and use bicycle tubes or leaf liners. Forewarning though, the second dirt gets in there, squeak comes back.

 

The squeak is how you know the Dakars are working bro! It's like a remix for all your favorite tunes...

 

I've cut strips from coolant bottles to stuff between leaf's before and they work for a while, if you could find thin Teflon sheets that will work better .

 

Cool...thanks a lot fellas. I told the dude to grease the hell out of them and install.

 

If by chance, he has grease used on 5th wheels get him to use that. Shit last forever...

 

Just an update...
The extra leaf made a world of difference out in the desert this last weekend all loaded up, really glad I added it.

However, one trip to the desert and I have the squeaks...Sucks but I figured it would happen.