Rear axle out of square

Currently running Dakar cs047R springs on my 2013. I just had new tires put on (285/75/16 ATX) and when doing my alignment we noticed that the rear axle was not square in the wheel well. It sits one inch farther to the rear on the passenger side. Being a leaf spring setup, I am not familiar with a way to fix this, or what is causing it. Some things to note: I have an allpro dual swingout rear with my spare and a rotopax mount (3 3.5 gallon containers), allpro sideplates and hitch, an ARE topper with roof rack, SOS sliders with fill plates, and ~150lbs in the back at all times. I am not sure weight makes a difference, but I would round that to ~500 pound daily carry. I do not have the extra leaf in the dakar springs yet as the ride/ride height is sufficient for what I do. Any ideas on what would be causing this?

 

someone should correct me if I’m wrong, but I’m certain it’s possible to unbolt the leaf spring, move the axle the desired amount, and re-bolt the spring to the axle.

When it comes to the root cause being something other than an assembly error in the factory, I’m not sure about that.

 

No. The leaf spring has pin it the sits in a hole on the axle pad, there’s not nearly that amount of play in it. The axle can not slide back and forth on the leaf spring.

 

Okay. Makes sense. It’s a strange problem.

 

Perhaps the leaf pack alignment bolt sheared off...

 

yeah, there was no play in the axle when installing the springs. Additionally, the shackles seem to be at the same angle when looking from ride height.

 

Make sure the leaf spring pin is in the axle pad hole. I’ve seen guys miss it and tighten down the u bolts and the axle not be seated in the hole. Then I’d loosen all the bolts for the springs and retighten and torque with weight on them. 1” is a lot.

 

Oh yeah, that can happen too

 

I didn't think of that. Guess it's coming apart this weekend.

 

Keep us posted, I’m curious to see the cause.

 

Just start carefully taking measurements of everything on each side til you figure out where the difference is.

 

Isn't there a dimple on the axle that the leaf spring center pin sits in? That's where I'd start looking

*edit* whoops, apparently I take too long to type as this was suggested many posts back..

 

Have you measured the rear axle in relation to the frame and not just the body? These trucks are notorious for the composite bed coming loose and it’s possible your bed has shifted and not the axle

 

Make sure the leafs are in correctly. The front side is longer then the back on my leaf pack about an inch. Could be flipped 180 degrees

 

I second checking if the bed has shifted. Even if the bolts aren’t loose, the bed itself can wear around the bolts and move around. Especially if you are hauling a bunch of weight around

 

3rd the motion to check the bed. Make sure the axle is square to the frame, not the bed as it can shift constantly.

 

That was my thought when I read the OP.

 

I don't recall, but is there a possibility of them being flipped and still being able to bolt in the E brake cable? I know I bolted both sides in. I will crawl under tonight to verify though.

 

It shouldn't be able to move as long as the pin in the leaf spring is in the hole on the spring perch. Maybe the pin sheared off somehow, or it was never in the hole to being with. Look at this thread: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/leaf-springs-install.633263/

 

alignment machine can check thrust angle (which is what this is) and tell ya for sure how buggered it is, or not.

or..maybe, that's just how you roll


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8y9FTidu9w