Leaf Spring Concern

Has anyone had issues with leaf springs looking like this one? What would have caused this?

 

I don't recall that specific failure. Most I've seen have been closer to the axle.

My first guess is that your shackles and bushings seized together internally from rust, then could not rotate to accommodate leaf flex. Over time, the rear barrel of the leaf pack failed at the weak point where they were flexing.

 

Holy rust Batman...that doesnt look safe at all

That bushing in the shackle is split apart and done for, but judging by that amount of rust in the close up pic alone Id say you have bigger issues at hand

 

Do you think it is safe to drive this way? It has apparently been this way unnoticed for some time. I am wondering if I should buy new leafs and shackles?

 

My comment about safety was regarding the overall rust in the pic...if there's that much rust there, then the rest of the frame might be just as bad or worse. A rusted through frame is a bigger concern than a broken leaf spring bushing.

But regarding the broken bushing I would say it's something that should be replaced ASAP but its not going to be the end of the world to run it like that for a couple more days. I imagine it's probably making some clunking noises when you go over bumps and what not.
I would make it a priority... But I am curious what the rest of your frame looks like, if you have any more pics handy.

 

Not safe.

You have to have the frame inspected by toyota first to see if even passes the hammer test. If it does, all that suspension will need to be cut off, and new shackles and leaf packs installed, at a minimum.

 

Unfortunately Toyota won't warranty frames on 1st gens anymore, program ended for us at the end of 2019...his 01 would have been out of the replacement window in 2016 anyhow.

But yeah with that kind of rust I'd want to make sure the rest of the frame isn't rusted through, that kind of thing is an immediate safety concern for sure

 

Buy new springs
www.nationalspringinc.com
150 years in the industry.
Good luck with your truck and welcome to TW.

 

Oh I didn't expect warranty. But thought they might condemn it. Then op is into another frame out of pocket.

 

Oh fuck dude, you need a new truck.

 

@Kwikvette just straight up getting to the point

 

Sometimes I don't care for foreplay.

You understand

 

Now now . Don't be a fatalist...yet. But if it is worth saving, those upper shackle mount points will also need to be replaced. Looks like the upper barrel could be in failure mode too. Looks like a horizontal crack is forming.

 

Filled with emotion!

 

It passed the frame test in 2010, Toyota dealership applied corrosive treatment to frame. What you are seeing in the pic is the corrosive treatment peeling off the frame with surface rust underneath. The pic makes it look worse than it is, the frame is really solid, dealership has been servicing for the past 15 1/2 years.

 

Had the same issue a year and a half ago. I think scocar has the right diagnosis, rust seizes the shackle and the spring eye cracks under flex. I was hauling a lot of creek rock around the time I noticed my leaf spring crack, I'm guessing it cracked when I had the bed loaded down.



I ended up replacing the suspension front and back, and then managed to get Toyota to replace the frame. I'd check the frame real good around the upper shock mounts in the back, that's where my frame was the weakest. If you get in there and replace the suspension it will you give a good chance to treat the frame and see just how bad the rust is.

 

That is the spring that is broken not the bushing !

Unless your seeing something I missed .

 

Yeah all those Cali boys are freaking out over something that can be fixed based on what Im seeing in that pic. Anything more than a slight yellowish tinge of surface rust and they think its totaled. @eon_blue @Kwikvette

But Id take a wire wheel to it and go about fixing it before it gets worse.

And @scocar, there is zero reason to take a 1st gen to a dealer now that the frame replacement campaign is over for them. Youd just be wasting your time, and the dealers time that they could be using to fix 3rd gens. Take a hammer to it yourself and evaluate it from there.

 

Thanks all for the input, I am going to order new springs and shackles and do like Blue92 suggest and wire wheel the anti corrosion paint off that dealership applied and treat myself. I didn’t pay any attention to the rear part of truck when I purchased it. It was during the evening hours and the rest was perfect for an 01 model, I will get her back up to par! She has 294k and purrs like a kitten!

 

I would be freaking out more over the cracked leaf spring from a safety standpoint than that light (for the midwest and humid states) grame rust. If that was my truck I would park it until the leafs fixed.