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Broke Leaf Spring, Just add a leaf?

Discussion in 'Suspension' started by RockLobster, Feb 8, 2011.

  1. Feb 8, 2011 at 1:55 PM
    #1
    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    Hey everyone! I have a 1996 Tacoma Extended cab 4X4.
    The middle leaf spring in my pack somehow is broke right in the middle. I was wondering if i could just remove the broken leaf and the same leafe on the other side and just add a leaf to fix it instead of paying 150.00 to get a whole replacement leaf pack?
     
  2. Feb 8, 2011 at 2:03 PM
    #2
    Zombie Runner

    Zombie Runner Are these black helicopters for me?

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    You will probably lose some weight capacity since you wont have that longer leaf in there. Im not real sure how it would ride, maybe a bit softer :notsure:

    as you said before, just make sure you have the same leafs from one side to the other
     
  3. Feb 9, 2011 at 6:50 AM
    #3
    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    Would adding a new set of Rough Country Nitro 9000 gas shocks help on the weight capacity?
    Also, since add a leaf says it will add 1.5in of lift, will it sit about the same since the middle leaf on each side will be removed? or will it still add some lift?
     
  4. Feb 9, 2011 at 7:11 AM
    #4
    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    If it were me, I'd replace the leaf pack. I'm guessing the leaf broke due to long-term wear and tear so it would stand to reason that other breaks may be in your future. There are load leveler shocks (not familiar with the Rough Country one you mentioned) but they do help with capacity to some extent since they have a coilover built onto the shock. I have no experience with them personally and have no idea how they'd ride. I would imagine they're not overly cheap though, so by the time you buy an AAL and new Rough Country shocks, why not just get the leaf pack for $150 and fix it right? Another option would be to raid a junk yard and find a replacement off a wrecked truck.
     
  5. Feb 9, 2011 at 7:25 AM
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    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    By removing the broken leaf/s - it'll put addtional weight/stress on the other leafs and they could break.

    Shocks aren't weight supporting. ONly the leafs are.....

    I'd get a new leaf pak.
    If you're on a budget, look for USED (stock) leaf paks on ebay, craigslist, or with local junkyards. Look for leaf paks off a newer 1st gen truck - like an 01 or 04. Anyone with a first gen truck who's installed new leafs, will have their spare set laying around.
     
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  6. Feb 9, 2011 at 7:33 AM
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    Pugga

    Pugga Pasti-Dip Free 1983 - 2015... It was a good run

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    I thought he was referring to something like this. Shocks like these will support weight, however I'm not convinced they actually work or are worth it. I'd much rather let the suspension components that are designed to be load bearing actually carry the load.
    http://www.shockwarehouse.com/site/mon_loadlevel.cfm
     
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  7. Feb 9, 2011 at 7:40 AM
    #7
    George Rockwell

    George Rockwell Well-Known Member

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    Where in Alabama are you? I got a buddy with some downey leaf springs, use 6 months. Cheep. Pm me if you are interested
     
  8. Feb 9, 2011 at 8:00 AM
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    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    I agree....those might be OK if your suspension is fully functional and you need extra support for heavier loads. Personally, I wouldn't buy 'em.

    The amount of money you'd spend on those would probably buy another set of atleast ' used' leaf springs.
     
  9. Feb 9, 2011 at 8:32 AM
    #9
    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    I have been looking at junkyards and craigslist for used spring pack but cant find any. would buying a new spring pack for just the side thats broke make the truck sit higher on one side since its new and has not had any wear and tear?
     
  10. Feb 9, 2011 at 8:33 AM
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    Pugga

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    On a truck that old, I would guess it would sit higher on that side with a new leaf pack.
     
  11. Feb 9, 2011 at 11:29 AM
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    Janster

    Janster Old & Forgetful

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    Yes.... and your overall ride quality will be uneven (so to speak)

    Do you have a spring/driveshaft shop in your area? It'll be a shop that customizes in fabricationg driveshafts & suspensions. You could ask them how much it would cost to custom fabricate a new (single) leaf spring. And they might have suggestions for you also.

    The thing is, it might be cheaper to buy a new set of leafs. It depends on your shop.
     
  12. Feb 10, 2011 at 1:36 PM
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    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    This might be a stupid question, but dose a 1995 toyota 4Runner have rear leaf springs?
     
  13. Feb 10, 2011 at 9:38 PM
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    BenWA

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  14. Feb 11, 2011 at 5:45 AM
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    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    Ah thats a pretty cool site! Thanks alot BenWA!!!!
     
  15. Feb 11, 2011 at 5:54 AM
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    cc350

    cc350 Retired Member

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    Be smart and replace in pairs. Coil over on rear shocks suck. Should be a local spring company near you that could replace the broken leaf. If not replace the rear springs with new ones.
     
  16. Feb 11, 2011 at 6:22 AM
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    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    I would love to buy 2 new sets of springs, but I cant afford that right now. I drive my truck an hour to work and an hour back every day and need to fix it as soon as I can before it gets any worse. I have been looking everywhere and calling anyone I can find that might have cheaper replacement leafs and still no luck.
     
  17. Feb 11, 2011 at 12:05 PM
    #17
    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    Grey wire MOD, deck plate, diff breather MOD, 2nd gen. OME 883# on Tundra 5100's, OMD custom 3" leafsprings, rear shock relocation, Ivan Stewart TRD rims w/285/75/16's, '02 bumper MOD, Famous Fabrications sliders , LED interior/exterior lights, bed bar, Custom tube bumper, Old school KC day lighters,Red Ring 8" HID flood, Kenwood vhf 2M.. umm some other shit I'm forgetting right now
    Yes you can, remove leafs , dissasemble, remove broken leaf,remove same leaf otherside , look for another spring with same deminsions doesn't have to be a Toyota spring, buy new spring bolt/axle pin about $7 bucks for 2


    My rebuilt stock leaf pack with 2 junk yard ford springs per side, I wanted a lift & got 3" & brought my springs back to life, if you don't want lift just replace with same number of springs with same dimentions


    Junk yard leaf pack....


    DSC04355_d9e297d52e8d7cc6f316ccf6caa38250ff7f45c0.jpg

    Testing last night, perfect performance

    DSC04399_50c23a8283a2aa54c7cc77db16397979b6068dd4.jpg

    DSC04397_e23084b93255d197970a2d266f4fa3fd054c25dd.jpg
     
  18. Feb 11, 2011 at 12:14 PM
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    RecklessTaco

    RecklessTaco Livin the Dream

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    Listen to the man above! He is very Smart when it comes to this stuff. I saw his rebuilt leafpack with the junkyard ford leafs installed and it looks amazing. His rearend is so fricken sweet now:D
     
  19. Feb 11, 2011 at 12:47 PM
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    RockLobster

    RockLobster [OP] Member

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    Yea That is pretty damn smart 4WD! Thanks alot of the help 4WD! you just saved me lots of money!
     
  20. Feb 11, 2011 at 12:53 PM
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    4WD

    4WD cRaZy oLdmAn

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    No problem bro', it'd be great if money wasn't an issue, don't be afraid to think outside the box....

    PM me if you have any questions...


    Drove the hell out of it last night to see what was gonna go "boom" & got perfect performance, nothing wrong with these...


    DSC04351_462c01218f83822251fad5a9fdf4860e8688ab3b.jpg

    DSC04353_f268cbd020f4a524a622d21880f870c231cc4625.jpg
     

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