Goodbye Axle Wrap Mod

that is all i did and it worked like a charm. all the clamps do is keep the leaf pack from separating which in turn is what causes the wrap. ...i installed them right in front of the u bolt top plate. ..actually just butted the clamp right up against the plate and torqued it down. haven't noticed a single instance of axle wrap since and it cost me a total of $28.

 

so this would work on a second gen no problem then? i see it being fine since it works on all leaf spring packs. i hope it will help, seeing as my rear spring tsb didn't help with axle wrap

 

indeed. ...it will work on all leaf sprung vehicles. ..you just need to make sure the spring clamp is the correct width for your springs. the ones i used were "universal" and are a bit wider than need be. ...i may make my own one day ..but for now, the axle wrap is gone and i'm happy.

 

so where does the u bolt go? im not mounting the spring, ill just take the advice and just mount the u bolts. I know it was explained already and I just wanna make sure, seeing as it was explained with regards to a first gen, and im not sure how similar our suspension set ups may be

 

Leaf springs are leaf springs. no difference between the various trucks.

Look at the OP's picture, the same place where he had the u-bolts, you do it the same way, but without the helper spring

 

...Sounds like I spent a $1.99 too much!!

I appreciate the input from everyone so far, thank you for providing further proof that this set-up truly does diminish the effects of our Axel Wrap. From the look of things the general consensus at this point is that you can either spend your time and money tracking down universal U-Bolts and mounting plates that will fit your springs or purchase the kit and install all or even half of supplied components....either way, you get to enjoy the same benefit for the same price.

As I mentioned in the write-up, and as others have supported, this will apply to other years, body styles and even other vehicles with tired leaf springs. The only reason the write-up is for a 1st Gen Tacoma is because that's what I drive, but the application procedure for either method you choose is basically universal for any vehicle with leaf springs. As Ywen mentioned in Post #20 there are write ups available for other vehicles on separate forums across the internet. Since I could not locate a good step by step procedure for those of us on the 1st Gen side of the forum here at TW, especially those like myself that are not quite "mechanically inclined", I documented my project to show a little love to all of us that still rock the 1st Gen Tacomas.

Keep the feedback coming, especially after some of you decide to do the install of your chosen set-up.

Luke

 

outstanding...
OP sorry about the thread jack... good idea on bringing this post over from some of the other forums

 

That hardware stack up needs a flat washer really bad or the lock washer won't do it's job right. It already doesn't look like the nut's properly tightened, maybe because it's not seated right.

Just sayin'...

Otherwise, for as cheap as those helpers are it looks like something I'm gonna try some day... good write up!

 

The Autozone stores sells a brand of the helper springs you've shown in your pictures. From the same brand as the helper springs kit, the company also sells twin packs of u bolts. The exact same u bolts that come in the helper springs kit. They go for like $11 or $14, complete with the plates, bolts, and washers. I forget, but this is all you need. I made the same mistake of buying the whole spring kit, now I have a couple pieces of springs sitting around, which I will throw away.

 

FYI and Additional Clarification for those who tackle this project - That photo was PRIOR to fully tightening the nut all the way down on the U-Bolt. Buddywh1 brought up a good point that deserves some attention. Make sure that the nut on the U-Bolt looks like the one on the photo below after everything is aligned and you fully torque everything tight, regardless of which method you choose this will still apply.

 

Excellent news man, the more money we can save the better this project gets! Post some pics of your set-up so that everyone who checks this out will be able to see how they should mount their U-Bolts and Bracket from that kit if that's the route they choose. I'm sure i'm not the only "visual" person on TW who better relates to pictures of what I'm supposed to do as opposed to written instructions.

 

My setup looks just like your's sans the helper spring.

 

Fantastic thread! Now I'm faced with a dilemma: Replace my entire suspension with OME goodies front and back, or acquiesce to the fact my truck is 7 yrs old and save $1200 by just doing this mod instead of replacing everything....

hmmm, think I'll still get the OMEs heh.

 

Good writeup. Looks like it works kind of like a traction bar.

Tim

 

I picked up some u-bolts at AutoZone on my way home from work for 14.99, just got them installed about 15 mins ago. I'll take it for a test drive after I eat supper and post the results. Fingers Crossed.

 

Didn't know that little detail!

Hey thanks...your write up inspired me to stop by my local Advance and pick up a set on the way home and put 'em on before supper. All I can say is WOW, it really is nice to have the thump gone at the stops!

But it doesn't stop there: it's a little hard to describe but the best I can come up with is the truck feels more connected with better throttle response; probably because nothing lost in 'winding up' the axle with each acceleration! It also made the truck ride a little firmer; more like a truck. As one should expect since it's effectively increasing the spring rate in the rear.

By the way: I noticed you didn't use the rivet and I didn't either. Using the rivet increases the pre-load on the springs (I might put it in later on once the springs have broken in some). But it looks like if you put the rivet in on the driver side only it just might cure the infamous taco lean too.

 

I've no doubt the u-bolt alone is effective, but using the spring can only add to the effect (just look at the load transfer through the helper as the axle wraps.)

And you get the additional benefit of some small amount of extra load capacity... maybe not like an AAL but everything helps...possibly off-setting the weakening of an aged spring pack.

And besides...it's really cheap!

 

the problem with the spring is that the way in which we mount it, it will travel forward and push into the front bushing. The flimsy bracket on the opposite end of the u bolts will eventually twist and bend and break.

 

cant wait to do mine... prolly just do the u-bolts. and yeah, a washer between the nut and lock washer is common practice... i thought

 

That bracket isn't useful for anything but keeping the helper from twisting sideways (which actually is kinda important when you think about it). It should not be clamped tightly around the spring pack at all; that's why you capture the bracket between the jam nuts to keep it's bolt from rattling around.

If it's not tight around the pack then there's no reason the spring should travel, assuming the U-clamp is placed and torqued correctly.