Taco PRO Owners: Interested in a spring upgrade for front?

The wear on the inner bushing of the top hat worries me a bit.

For reference this is what my top hats look like under load.

 

Thanks Frank. Yah, I’m looking for 2020+ because for some reason they asked if I have pictures to prove the newer OEM ones aren’t ground flat…

 

From the buy/sell thread, here are a couple of pics, but not the best angle to see the tops.

New version:


Old version ground flat:

 

I wonder what the thought was behind the design change on the 2020+ from Fox/Toyota? The top and bottom retainer plates were completely redesigned to accommodate a full diameter spring at both ends rather than the flat ends found on the '17-'19.

Having to rotate the spring to fit the notch at the bottom and dealing with the weird angles of the top plate make it seem as though the spring coils have varying angles as they wrap from top to bottom. Every picture I see of them it looks like the angle of the coils is one thing toward the bottom but gradually changes to another angle by the time it hits the top. This doesn't seem like it would be effective or efficient. I'm wondering if the slight lengthening or stiffening of the Eibach springs only further makes this setup more wonky. It doesn't seem like these same upgrades made to the '17-'19 springs where there is a flat top and bottom cause any issues. The coil angles on those remain consistent as seen above and it appears much easier to have the shock more centered within the spring.

I'm not claiming the Eibach spring must be the source of squeaking, only that the 2020+ Pro design seems more susceptible to issues arising by going away from anything OEM.

 

I've seen some pictures of the older style where the end of the spring may break where it is ground thinner. Not enough to say it's a common problem, or that this was the reason for a change. Cost is likely the main reason since the grinding step is extra work. The new design is not a unique thing, though.

 

An update from the Toyota mechanic: "We were told to put it back together unfixed because it's the spring." @mark@eibach

 

What was the proposed fix?

 

New suspension or going back to OEM springs.

 

Are they concerned the current lift springs will wear the top hats prematurely?

 

Said it may get louder, but no concern about substantial damage long term.

 

The latest from Eibach:

 

I happen to be friends with the GM of my Toyota and he's talking about throwing ironman 4x4 foam cells on there to just get rid of the problem. Would this even be an upgrade?

 

So as a 2020+ guy, it seems plausible that some sort of squeak is inevitable. At this point does it seem like the Westcott kit is the better option then?

 

I cannot speak to every 20+ Pro owner with this spring swap. I chose this option since it appeared to be closer to a factory setup than what Wescott appears to be. I did not want to remove the bottom spring perch.

But, now I have a Tacoma with less than 20k miles I have to grease every couple of days.

I would recommend a rear leaf pack over the lift block and at this point I would not recommend the Eibach lift springs. The squeak appears to not be an isolated problem and I believe the response from Eibach has been an attempt to shift blame from a potential design issue.

I would like to hear from other 20+ owners who do NOT have squeak issue after this swap.

 

So after reading all the people with noises on the 2020+ models I think I have a idea of whats going on and its a issue with the factory designed spring also.

So due to the upper mount not actually having a spot for the coiled spring, it creates a high pressure spot on one side and no pressure on the other side. This is just forcing the top hats to bind and create noise. Now its not a issue so much on the factory springs because there is not as much load from the spring on there, but adding that extra load to get the lift has created too much pressure there.

Eibach, Im no expert, but since the 2020+ springs seem to share the same top hats as the 17-19 you should grind the tops flat to match the 17-19 and leave the bottoms how you already have them. This will put even pressure on the entire upper mount and stop the bearing from binding up.

People who already have these springs, might be time for someone to custom make a top mount that actually holds the spring properly.

 

I agree this was/is an opportunity to improve upon the OE design.

 

So here is a chance for someone to be a trailblazer and a hero to 2020+ owners.

You need to find the correct one of these for the pro springs. If you can find the right size, then putting this in will not only fix your issue, but should do a very very minor lift. **The isolators I have linked are just for reference, I dont know if they will fit, it will be your job to remove and measure the stock ones, then order the correct ones from summit.

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/...LojhOGpLDaI5IQZv_LUPRS0SlGmyI1KAaArtoEALw_wcB

 

Did you reach out to them? The rep made it seem like brand new information. I’m not an influencer, so I doubt anything will come if my complaint without additional supports. “Million mile warranty” is a useless perk if they don’t take ownership over the problem.

 

I think they are not taking ownership because its not really their issue, but rather a issue with the OEM design that is just amplified due to the increased preload from the lift spring. This is more of a toyota not designing the top hats right for this design of spring.

See my above post for a possible solution.

 

Love the idea. I appreciate the perspective and don’t disagree with it likely being an issue with the OEM setup. However, Eibach’s claims about rigorous testing and research gave me the confidence to buy them.