Leaf Spring Bushings - Dealer wants to replace entire leaf assembly

I've been putting up with a squeaking rear suspension for about a year, but it's getting annoying. I've isolated the squeal--it's the front leaf spring bushings on the rear suspension. I'm satisfied that the squeak is not coming from the leafs themselves, as the pads are intact and the noise is from the bushings. Dealer agrees.

The problem is that two dealers and an independent shop say that these are only sold as an assembly and I'd have to buy the entire leaf spring assembly (left and right side of the truck) just to get new bushings. At least $1900 installed.

I've seen folks replace the bushings themselves with Energy Suspension kits, but those seem like more of a modification than the repair that I want.

Anyone have experience with this? My goal is just to get back to OEM as affordably as possible. Should I try a few more independent shops?

Thanks as always!

 

Well, you have 3 estimates that state “ there only sold as an assembly”. Buy them yourself and have someone install.

 

Yup agreed with spit dog
You can do it if you have the tools

 

A lot of people sell their takeoffs after getting a lift. Iirc 3rd gen will fit 2nd gen. Opens up your buying options unless I’m wrong. Please someone correct me if I am.

 

Same vehicle, same issue. Squeaky springs are so annoying in Summer when driving through town with the windows open. Every bump is a squeak. Looking into 3rd gen takeoffs.

 

It’s a pretty easy job overall. You could buy the tools you need and a new leaf spring and still be under 1900 bucks

 

Go check with Toyota. There was a recall on leaf springs (EO2). My '06 had the leafs replaced under the recall in February 2018

 

This only goes through 2011

 

Yes 3rd gen leafs will fit on a 2nd gen. Ran them for 15k on my truck

 

If you're considering DIY for just bushings (or even a new leaf pack), I would highly recommend you pick up a spare set of shackles. The leaf eye bushings are a pain to get out... The shackle eye bushings are a full blown struggle unless you have a stand-up press.

I estimate you can save yourself 50-75% of the swearing involved in a bushing/spring pack job by getting a used set of shackles (or even just a new OEM pair, but they're kind of expensive for what they are) and taking them to a local mechanic or job shop just to have them press them out in their stand-up press for $20 or whatever for a partial hour of labor. Then you can clean up your "new" shackles, put the bushings in, and push the old ones out of the eyes with a ball joint press kit.

Doing it with a spare set of shackles also means if you do decide to struggle them out yourself, your truck can still go get tools and parts.

 

THIS! last yr or so I called my local dealer asking if i can get my spring pack replaced because of "bottoming out n such"(total lie) and they DID IT FREE due to the tsb. And yes they do it all. I had a aal installed AND THEY STILL DID IT granted I had to re install my aal myself but hell, it was free. Cant hurt to try.

 

Thanks everybody for these helpful suggestions! I’m gonna dig into it this weekend and see what I can figure out.

 

Report back if you end up following up with a dealer on a TSB. I'm curious what is done about this.