Rusting AALs

Hey all,

Quick question, I recently upgraded my leaf pack and after about 2 months I noticed a little bit of rusting on it, which seems wack. I called up the shop who installed it and they basically said it was normal and most leaf packs end up doing this. So my question is, is this actually common?

 

These are AALs or a full new pack? If it's a Dakar leaf pack mine look identical. Ain't a big deal.

 

Full new pack - dang even the OEM lasted longer than that haha

 

My pack came with painted flaking off, which they said would happen, so I'm assuming the bare metal rusts pretty quickly. It's mostly surface rust

 

The paint isn't as flexible as the metal. The paint flakes off, you get surface rust. To prevent that, the best way is to wire brush your packs and moly-grease them. They'll work smoother too.

 

$10 CRC 06026 Heavy Duty Corrosion Inhibitor, 10 Wt Oz

CRC 06026 Heavy Duty Corrosion...

 

It’s hard to believe, but Toyota actually manages to make OEM leaves that resist rust. All the aftermarket leaf packs and ad-a-leaves rust right away. If Toyota put the same paint on the frames, we’d all be happy.

 

normal, it really wont affect anything, they will wear out before it becomes close to breaking. if you feel bad, spray some rust reformer on it after a light sand, paint and call it a day. My truck looks like crap, and as long as everything works well, and is reliable, i really dont care.

 

My Dakars look similar at three years after install, I try to get the de-icer, brine, salt etc. off whenever possible after it snows and thaws.

 

Hit it with some Fluid Film. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Fluid-Film...Uzxv9r-bRf5wJEB_2uUaAu_cEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Where do you live? My packs are going on 7 years old and have very little rust. But i'm also in the south.

 

You're right, and that is because the OEM leaf springs aren't quite paint. They are part plastic, to make the leaves "maintenance free". The frames are more coated than painted.. The black oxide is a mid or cold temp application, dirt cheap and gets everywhere. Not really paint bc that is a PIA to make in volumes.

 

I have always heard to NOT grease leaf springs. This is from Eaton:

Then in the early 50’s the type of steel used to manufacture springs was changed to SAE5160 and the practice of lubricating between the leaves stopped.

Grease has an adverse effect on 5160 steel. The chemicals in the grease react with the steel and causes the steel to breakdown.

Take a look at the front springs on the next large truck you see leaning. There’s a good chance the power steering unit will be leaking onto the low side spring.

https://www.eatondetroitspring.com/greasebetweenleaves/

 

@Pilsner

Look, I'm just an internet stranger. I won't wave my cred's bc they are meaningless here, but here is some food for thought: 5160 is typically quenched in oil. It is formed by heating it up to the melting temp, and its mechanical characteristics are derived for the way it is formed. How will grease degrade mechanical properties? Especially without any visible for of corrosion? (The answer is it can't)

More food for thought, the chemicals in a good break in oil are mostly the same chemicals found in grease. Break in oils are for old cars using a spring steel valve spring...

This thread should not be a grease leafs thread, it is a dumb topic. I would recommend to anyone to actually learn the science and make your own decision.

 

I'm not doubting that logic nor arguing the point. That is just what Eaton said. I generally don't like putting lube on things that are exposed simply to avoid packing it with sand. I hit my leafs with rust conversion paint every few weeks when I hit my skids and sliders. Leaf springs gather surface rust quickly and I just paint them for appearance, not so much because I am worried about the rust itself.

 

Fair enough, greasing definitely is not a fire and forget action. One needs to tend to the spring and re pack them so often, but I also wouldn't worry about sand getting in them, and the grease is always moving out until it is gone... so while the excess grease gets dirty, it won't works its way in. But it does need to be done about as often as you change the oil.

I wish toyota just went with an AL frame, they could use the same dipping tank for the frames but anodize them instead. They also wouldn't rust...

 

Same same.

 

If you don’t want it to rust, pull the pack, disassemble and repaint with Steel-It

 

Where do you live? It should not be doing that if its only 2 months old.

 

It’s pretty normal, my leafs arrived rusted when I order them. They flash rust and just throw a top coat on.

 

These are mine and they are 3 years old.... Dakar's.