Squeaky OME Dakar Leaf pack fix/solution?

Hi, I'm from the future. Any updates? Was going to do this exact thing since I have a can of this stuff already.

 

The latest update - it hasn't squeaked since I last reported yesterday. But I haven't driven it either. Haha.

 

I found and was able to purchase replacements at

 

My Dakar setup was squeaking like a MF for months - so I used white lithium grease spray as some had suggested. It did NOT work.

What worked for me finally was Energy Suspension bushing grease. I jacked up the rear, and used a pry bar to spread the leafs. Used a small putty knife to apply the grease between the leaf spring pads. Worked like a charm. There were about 4-5 pads on each side. Minor PITA but finally squeak-free.

Link to the grease I used. It’s tacky and sticky so it’s not like any other grease.

$18 Energy Suspension - 9.11104 8 OZ TUB OF FORMULA 5 PRELUBE

https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspension-9-11104-FORMULA-PRELUBE/dp/B000MW5SJ4

I’m sure you can use something similar. I just had it left over from a previous job.

 

How long has it been holding up? If I can get it to last an oil change interval, I'll be happy. That would be way more than I can say for the damn HVAC fan bearing.

I just did my Dakars with the Teflon spray over the weekend. I'm hoping for it to last the rest of winter, then of course summer because summers are squeak free anyway, then return when it starts raining again fall 2020. I'd be happy with that.

 

I can’t speak for longevity- as it’s only been 2 weeks or so, but I think it’ll last a while.

Teflon spray or any type of other spray lubricants did not work for me. Albeit, I never pried the leafs and sprayed between the pads and leafs themselves, so that MIGHT be the key.

If you just spray w/o prying to get the grease/lube in between - I think it’s pretty much useless IMO. But since you’re gonna do all that work anyway, I’d much rather use a more viscous type of grease. I’m glad I did.

 

Has anyone that's pried the leafs apart and used spray or grease and had it fail try to replace the front bushings and had that resolve the issues? Curious is this still works as I replaced the dakars with deavers.

 

Systematically separating the leafs with a superbar and listening as a helper rocked the truck is how I determined exactly where the noise was coming from. I didn't want to spray indiscriminately because then you don't come away with any knowledge about where the noise was coming from. I only separated and sprayed one at a time before having a helper rock again. It was definitely key, as 75% of the squeak was only coming from one of the pads on either side. I never even sprayed the rear pads, they weren't making any noise. 100% of my squeaks were coming from 2-3 pads in the front of each leaf pack as well as the pads that lined the inner side of one of the front retaining clips.

I held the leafs apart for the teflon stuff to evaporate quickly as well so that dry film could adhere without getting rubbed away still in the wet phase.

Quiet after only about 200 miles. I will keep this thread updated with any changes as the weeks/months go by. I know sometimes that Teflon stuff likes multiple coats. I might just do another this weekend.

 

Anyone else's sounds like this?! I don't even know if its the leaf springs. It's SO loud though. Sounds like it's the front passenger side. Worse when lifting from the wheel well as opposed to pushing down.


edit: Just realized this is 3rd gen...Although I guess the squeak doesn't have to be specific to the truck but more the springs.

 

1. OME springs are the same for all 2005+ Tacos so pretty relevant.

2. My squeek didn't sound like that at all to be honest. And now that I've searched Youtube for a similar sound, I'm realizing that none of the videos sound like how mine sounded. I wish I took video now before lubing them up!

 

When it started a couple weeks ago, I didn't think it sounded like a spring. I though a leaf spring squeak would be higher pitched. And maybe it is? To me, this sounds more like the bed or a bushing somewhere. But I have no point of reference. I've laid under this thing for a while and be damned if I could figure out where it's originating from.

 

Mine sounded much more like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxIk5-OWfV0

Although coming from the rear of course. And it was SO sensitive. The slightest movement, up or down, would make noise on both sides. Getting in, closing the door, moving around in the cab, hell even if I sneezed while parked it would let out a creak.

 

Squeaking again, with probably less than 300 miles since doing it on Jan 12. Pfft.

 

Installed a full Icon leaf pack last week. So much better and no squeaks.

 

First time poster, long time reader.

Thank you for this thread!! My OME Leaf springs were terrible. Since I live in the NW and rains all the time here, the squeak was constant. I lubed up the yellow pads in between with Lucas Oil Red & Tacky grease I bought for $5. squeaks were gone instantly! Like many have said; I just jacked up the rear end and used a couple of pry bars to open up space in the springs and lubed with an old paint brush.

Thanks again.

 

Update: still no squeaks from my leaf springs. It's been around 2 months now.

 

I heard from Wheelers that there is a replacement kit available through ARB. I contacted their warranty department about and sure enough they are sending out a liners to solve the issue.

 

Can you expand more on this?

Full leaf liners or just at the leaf tips?

Part number?

 

Don't buy ARB's overpriced isolators or any ARB/OME replacement parts if you can avoid it. Invest in a better leaf pack. Dakars are great on a fireroad, at speed. Anything else and they are garbage. Speed bumps, driveway curbs crossings. I know, I have them and they have been a constant regret. Anyone ever been in a bouncy house?? You can expect a similar experience when you are traveling on terrain that isn't in Dakar's sweet spot. They have 2 strikes against them without the squeaking. They are still SOA (spring over axle, VERY limited uptravel which is the MOST important part) and they don't perform as marketed.

Back to the topic ... The new isolators. They are mild steel that has been cnc/plasma cut and painted. NOTHING SPECIAL! Make your own. They just made them thicker. Half-ass move that doesn't solve the problem of the leaves coming into contact in between the pads and isolators. How do I know?


Can you see the rust where they are rubbing. Unless you put some really thick pads, this is always going to be a problem. There is a way to help this but it will not permanently eliminate their poor design.

I tore apart my leaf packs this week and did this and a AAL to get me buy time until I go LT/SUA because SOA is fine for driving off the dealer lot and picking up groceries.

• Go to a hardware store, buy a 18" x 6" x 16ga sheet metal.
• Cut them in 2.25" strips and drill a hole for the center pin.
• Deburr and paint if you want (I did)
• Butter all the leaves with red tacky #2 or heavy grease that will not wash off.
• Reassemble leaf pack
• Apply Moly grease to the bushings, sleeve and bolts.
• Torque and re-check after 50miles and 150miles.
• STOP AND RE-READ THE PREVIOUS STEP.
• READ THE NEXT STEP LIKE YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT
  
• Torque and re-check after 50miles and 150miles. (I typed this twice because ITS IMPORTANT AND PEOPLE DON'T CHECK)

Word of caution. Be liberal with the red grease but not sloppy. You don't want this oozing all over the place. Same goes with Moly grease! It's incredible and you could probably paint a car with only a cap-full. It likes to coat...everything.

Final notes: ARB changed the design on the leaf pads. They no longer have the grooves to hold grease. you can still add grease from below but will have to do this ALL the time because there is no way to reservoir grease to last longer. Oh, and they retail for $4 EACH for a 2.5" piece of round plastic with a pin hole in the middle. You will need 2 per leaf = 12(standard) or 16(heavy duty).

If you are still having squeaks after this, its something else or the leafs are flat (they can be re-arched). Let's stop and think about how much time and money is going into low performing leaf pack. Don't! Go invest in a better pack and give them away, sell them, melt them down into rebar...anything would be more useful.

Cheers everyone!