snapped middle leaf on the drivers side

and the battle begins again....

My 2004 just snapped the drivers side middle leaf. I only noticed it as i was loading up a few boxes. NOthing heavy........and it started to squat on that side. Looked under there and sure enough. Broken.

I have never really hauled anything heavy or towed anything. I see the 05+ have or had a spring recall. Looks like im screwed there.....just like my frame when i went to get that replaced. I was able to install the safe t caps to fix that a couple years back. Looks like it might be time to tear it back down or get rid of it. Just over 200k miles but i live in salt hell in the midwest.

I havent priced out parts from toyota yet but rockauto has the dormans for about $210 per side. Might as well due both.....then ill probably need the shackle bolts and the u bolts as well...likely another 75ish bucks or so....plus maybe 100 bucks to ship....

Fun.

The job itself doesnt look too bad. I dont have a torch but i do have a sawzall and angle grinder. No access to a lift but looks like it could be done in the driveway without too much fuss.

i guess im in no position to buy any kind of vehicle given the current state of all the BS going on right now and probably for quite a long time yet. Lots around here even used are asking insane prices even for clapped out garbage.

 

Pics of the carnage. I hear people talk about general springs

 

Check out General Spring in Kansas City.

I have had great luck with them over the years .

Depending where your truck lives you will also need the spring hanger bolts I have yet to ever get any out without cutting the bolts seize to the steel sleeve in the bushing. I have learned to not waste time I cut all the old hardware off.

A floor Jack makes it easier at least 4 jack stands 2 for the frame 2 for the axle

 

THanks...will do! I can try to take some pictures if it ever stops raining and i can get under it.

 

Whats your location? I have a pair in Sacramento, I ended up having my original springs re arched for 3" lift.

 

i am in MN...midwest...

 

General spring ships. I live in KC and was ready to drive down to the warehouse, but called them and they told me they didn't have mine locally, and would have to ship them from Illinois. Shipping was pretty reasonably priced.

 

Those leaf springs gave you 17 years, they are not meant to last the life of the truck. The frame I can understand being pissed about but leaf springs are a wear item. Replace them and enjoy many more years

 

yeah.....looks like its about $230 per side shipped. THats not that bad at all....and thats with the new ubolts. I guess i should plan on pricing out the hangers too as the bushings will probably be seized too.

 

if i find that the front bolt drivers side leaf sprint hanger has the bushing siezed is the best plan to go after it with a sawzall and try to cut the bolt. Its real close to the tank and im thinking an angle grinder or torch would only work if i dropped the tank out and id really like to avoid that again. I havent started pulling it apart.....just planning. It might just come right out.....probably not.

 

I'd start hammering it with pb blaster now... I'd also hammer it (tap it) to encourage the pb blaster to do it's thing.

But yes, if the bolt is seized in the bushing- your best bet is to cut it out with a sawzall. Do yourself a favor and get the expensive blades. Some folks here will tell you do go straight for the sawzall and skip attempting to remove the bolt. YMMV.

The same can be true for the rear shackle hanger as well. PB Blaster every bolt you're going to touch.

 

TIps :

1. Penetrating fluid all nuts/bolts.

2. Use a propane torch to burn the rubber bushings because they're prolly seized to the bolts.

3. Lower axle ALL the way to make removal and install easier.

 

THanks guys.....i havent even ordered the parts yet but i have started spraying the Kroil. Fun times.

 

These are good tips. However be very careful with that last one- Watch your brake line and abs lines. You'll need to get some slack in the abs wires by disconnecting a few of the attachment points along the axle housing. I haven't had a stock brake line in 20 years, so I don't know how much room you have there.

 

I have no problem using the grinder with cut of wheels unless you have a fuel leak.

Damp Cotton rags work wonders I use them all the time to protect from spark damage.

If you have a fuel leak your dropping the tank most likely.

A sawzall can spark just as well. just shoot the sparks away .

Dropping the tank gets expensive if you see winter chemicals.

Good luck !

 

There is a link Leafspring change help. to a previous thread where myself and others describe in more detail, the process of removing and installing the leaf springs.

 

Toyota did a recall on certain models for replacement springs. I got a new set of springs for my 2007 a few years ago at just under 200,000 miles. Mine were still fine, but there were some vehicles that had broken springs puncture the fuel tank. So they replaced them all.

 

A recall on 20-year-old wear items would be well and truly above the bar. @ OP don't get your hopes up for that- I haven't heard of a 1st gen spring recall in the 20+ years I've owned my truck.

 

THanks for the link. My truck is way more rusty than those shown and if they had all those problems i better plan for cutting i guess.

 

Right....yeah toyota likely wont cover it. They have been nothing but trouble as far as getting anything replaced. I had spent way too much time fighting with them on the frame...and like you...i have never heard of a gen1 recall so im not even going to bother asking. My experiences with them have been pointless wastes of time.