Squeaky OME Dakar Leaf pack fix/solution?

Dakar leafs have been squeaky since they came out for the first gen tacos lol. We tried everything, silglyde on a regular basis, pressure washing, new bushing. Nothing worked. Nylon zip ties wound up being the best solution. Around each leaf by itself, create a nylon pad. Google it for pictures but it does work. That or sell them and buy some all pro or deavers.

 

Old Man Emu Technical Service Bulletin 001:
http://www.jeepolog.com/UserFiles/downloads/Oldman_Leaf_Spring_Maintenance.pdf

 

Your leafs (leaves?) are flat and need to be re-arched. They aren't carrying their load. Nylon ties won't help that, but will make the problem quieter and you'll forget your leafs are compromised.
This is why I did AAL and grease instead of re-arching. Hope this helps.

 

Lol they were spanking new. They were not flat or compromised in the slightest s. Just a poor design they have refused to fix. I just got over the noise. But I won’t be buying dakars again.

 

Sounds about right...

 

After looking at this thread I've decided to go with the Deaver Stage 2 kit from Headstrong. Do I still need a carrier bearing drop kit as well?

 

I use the same stuff only I use a needle valve on my grease gun. Lasts about a year or so. Also, my leafs will never rust.

 

5,000 mi update. Dorman anti squeak pads still working great to keep my Dakar’s silent. So far the leaf pack has held up well and seems to be a solid built pack.

 

I jacked mine up and let the axle hang, pried each spring and sprayed Dupont white lithium grease in there and have been good for a few months. I don't drive it a ton anymore but am gonna be hitting the woods for some fishing and scouting for deer and elk seasons soon. Should be a good test

 

not necessarily. They are inexpensive, order one and see if you need it. You have it on hand and if you don't then sell it or return it. Even its a loss still good to have. I did it and then ended up needing it and meant no extra downtime waiting on parts.

 

How many pads do I need for each leaf pack? Is it just 4 per each side?

 

2 pads, 1 isolator per leaf.

Buy the ~.5in wide black (uv proof) nylon zip ties and anywhere you see the leaves touching between the pads and center pin, put a few around that leaf with some red grease. This will keep the leafs isolated.

 

I'm gonna start by saying that they are not mild steel. They are most likely 5160. Most or all springs are CNC cut. That's not a problem. Do they squeak? Yeah, yeah they do squeak.

 

I'm gonna try the zip ties. Not a fan of the squeak.

 

No

I’m not sure, but my kit from headstrong came with one. It’s simple, cheap, and easy to install.

 

quote on this?

 

I’m skeptical that you can blame your bad ride on a brand of leaf springs. I suspect your issue is you are over sprung and/or under damped.

 

That happens to me after I off road. Spray them down with a pressure washer to make sure nothing is stuck between the leafs let them dry then I use 336 or wd40 bounce the rear of the truck a couple times and after a couple drives its gone works for me everytime.

 

I couldve swore my dakars were emitting an increasing squeak for a few months. Expected to need a removal, repaint and re-assemble. Got so squeaky had someone jump in the bed while I checked for the source of the sound. Couldnt tell which side. Wd40’d as a test on a few spots where a bit of rust is popping up.

Still squeaking the next drive so again did the bed ‘jump test.’ Finally I grabbed and shook the mounted spare...low and behold the spring holding it was squeaking!! Tightened it up and so far so good! Tire shop was the last to stow the spare.

Not to say others are in the same boat but my dakars are still squeak free. Been about 2 years on the truck.

 

I've had Dakars on my truck for about 75k now and always thought the squeaking was from the springs b/c I kept reading everyone's problems w/ them. It wasn't bad, only when the rear was going over a speed bump, or something like that which cycled the rear suspension. It as more of a high pitched squeak too. Anyway, I was removing the axle shims yesterday and when I was unbolting the brake lines, I accidentally found the cause of my "leaf spring squeak"! The edge of the upper bracket that holds the brake lines was rubbing against the frame rail. Since I can't bolt that bracket down, I zip tied it and sure enough...NO MORE SQUEAKING!

Pic of culprit, all tied up with nowhere to go anymore.....