Thought I had squeaky leaf springs....WRONG!

Hey everybody. I had chirps and squeaks coming from the rear of my tacoma for the last three years. Based on what i found here, I assumed the culprit was the leaf springs due to the volume of posts regarding that issue. I had tried spraying graphite lubricant all over my leaf springs in an effort to stop the squeak, but to no avail. Tonight, I decided to have my wife help me find what was squeaking. I lowered the tailgate and had her push on it to make the truck bounce while I crawled under to look for where the squeak was coming from. After some crawling around it sounded like the sound was coming from in between the two sets of leaf springs. I thought that was odd since there aren't really any suspension parts there, just the spare tire. So I put some pressure on the spare....the squeak stopped! I went in the cab and pulled out the spare kit and tightened up the spare tire hoist by 1/4 to half a turn. I did the bounce test and there was silence. Then I took it through the neighborhood (which has speed bumps galore) and still no squeaks or chirps. It's like I'm driving a new truck! Hope this will help at least some of you guys out.

 

Good catch!

 

did it sound like this at all?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7VEJBSNVJc

 

Hard to tell with all the wind noise, but yea kinda.

 

After re-reading it sounds like you were able to replicate the noise pretty easily by bouncing the truck on the rear end? I can't replicate with this so might he a different issue.

 

Bouncing the truck,huh.....when the trucks a rockin’, Don’t come a knockin’

 

Try looking at your hood hinges mine were making a squeaking kinda like your video. Could try oiling them or stuff a rag underneath to keep pressure on them. I stuffed foam underneath to put pressure and that fixed mine. Mine was a little annoying squeak from the front right dash when hitting any little bump.

 

Interesting, i'll take a look at that next time in investigating. Thanks!

 

OMG, you might be onto something for me! I have had a lil squeak that sounds like its coming from behind the steering wheel, behind the vent, and a hood hinge could be it cus i have gone through EVERYTHING i can get to behind the dash!

 

After installing OME Dakar leaf springs (2" lift) I had a serious case of squeaks even though I greased the fittings liberally.

My squeak was definitely not the spare tire, rather the plastic discs between the leafs.

Now I'm not a user of engine/oil/gas additives (aside from Seafoam which is excellent) but I heard about the extreme lubricity and hydrophobic properties of Motorkote and decided to buy some ($15). Personally, I wouldn't put it in my engine, but I put it in a spray bottle, and sprayed it on my leaf springs (hinges and discs between the leafs) and haven't heard a peep out of them in over two months. Rain, mud, dirt, power washes, no problems, no squeaks. I'm sure they will eventually squeak again when the Motorkote wears off, but then I'll just respray.

Amazing how the squeak has no effect at all on ride or performance, but the psychological effect of having no squeaks just makes the truck feel better.

 

I think you deserve a celebratory beer or two.

 

Having the same issue with only 2k on the odometer. Can hear it when I shut the doors or have the rear window open. Had a flat tire first week I had the truck and had to get the spare off so hopefully this is the cause of my squeaking as well.

 

Nice! I gotta diagnose my squeaks too.

 

My hood latch on my old T-100 would squeak if I didn't keep it greased.

 

Just an FYI to everyone: the squeak I am getting is related to my UCA on my driver side. Bushing is bad is what I was told. Waiting on a set of 3rd gen take offs to replace it all at once.

 

These trucks are squeak and clunk machines. It makes you feel like you are driving junk.

I have a clunk in the steering wheel that nothing that has been done will take care of.

 

Every truck I have drove from 38 on has squeak's and pops. It's the nature of trucks.

 

Try driving a 1st gen, lol Clunk city though I can't entirely blame the truck, it holds up to a fair amount of abuse. But yeah at some point you just have to accept the squeaks and clunks, every now and then I get intent on trying to solve one though.

 

Yeah I mean you can only go so long without dealing with the clunk. These trucks are built tough, but sloppy.

 

Great work! I was getting ready to place an order for friction pads when I noticed your reply. I would’ve never thought of this, but I had a tire replaced a few weeks ago. Unfortunately said tire had to come from the warehouse the next day. The shop pulled and installed my spare and said see ya in the morning. Apparently they did not tension the chain enough when they put the spare back. Like you, I only turned a 1/4 of a turn and heavenly bliss bloomed…Thx again!