Life of the factory leaf springs

how long should these springs last? i walked out to my truck at work and noticed the back is squatting a bit. i then looked at my springs, they are starting to get negative arch... its a standard cab 4x4 with the 3 leaf leafspring. i have about 84K miles on them, is this when they should be about done? i cant compare apples to apples, but i never had negative arch on my s10 with 130K miles on it...is it because this system is a 3 leaf?

 

Good mornin' Chris! Ordered my BackRack yesterday...be here in 5 to 10 days. Found vendor in Wasilla...saved needing to drive into A-town (I avoid that as much as possible!).

 

EDIT: Sorry for OP. Back on topic...My truck sagged in the rear (stock 3 leaf springs) when I loaded my ATV in the bed ('bout 625 lbs)...I added a set of Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags last Spring. Solved the problem for me ... air up for carrying loads...keep them at @ 9 psi for DD duties. Gives it a slight lift in the rear and stiffened it up a bit. I'm happy with it so far and they seem to be holding up well. FWIW...I don't off-road in my truck...just dirt/gravel roads to get to where I off-load the ATV for fun or hunting.

 

mine is now starting to sag empty. i can't say how it was used previous to me buying it (i bought it at 39K miles) but its only ever really hauled something maybe a handful of times a year and i never really been off-roading, just access roads and such for work. at the beginning of october i put a set of hellwig helper springs on.

 

I considered an AAL (Add A Leaf), but went with the air bags because I wanted to be able to air up when I put the load on ( dozen times or so a year ). For what you're describing, an AAL might do the trick. Do a search and you should find some info on it. I didn't have any noticeable sag unloaded.

 

IMO the leafs are one of the few weak points on these trucks, i have a cap and heavy rack, plus tools and materials so mine were pretty well shot a 60k, ditto on the airbags, i have a set of firestones on mine and love them, if you don't want to spend the $ and time for new leafs, an Add-A-Leaf, good shocks and airbags sovled the problem for me

 

.... and a Good Morning to you, SF Chris!

 

i have a toytec AAL, i decided not to lift my truck so i put them up for sale. i may just keep them now, i'm just worried with the addition of the AAL it will give me crazy rake in the rear. i do not want to lift my front, i've read too many threads about the front diff issues. i may just try to find a set of used (better than mine tho) leaf springs. 3 leaf 4 leaf whatever

 

So mine are not "sagging" yet but they seem like they are right about flat. I dont need any additional lift in the rear, so what is a good replacement?
btw im right at 75k with a 6in pro comp stage 2 lift

 

I haven't looked at it lately, but I think you might be able to combine AAL with some Bilstein 5100s set to level things out. Might talk to the Downsouth Motorsports folks...let me check if they are still a vendor here. I'm keeping them in mind for when my stock shocks need to be replaced.

Yep: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/downsouth-motorsports/

 

I had a slight negative arch. It was more like a very flat "w". I changed them out at 175K. I replaced them with Wheeler's four-leaf leaf springs (stock lift) and used new poly bushings, greaseable main eye bolts, and greasable shackle. The new shackle moves a lot better than the ultra stiff old one.

You should look into changing them. On the older Tacomas, the leaf springs were made of crappy steel that wears out faster.

 

Runnin off to Oakland, be back later

 

yeah i have the AAL for the rear, and bilstein 5100's all for all 4 corners in a box at my house. i'm reluctant to add the AAL. its advertised as a 1.5" lift, i'm not sure how much it will lift a bad leaf spring, and i'm reluctant to lift the front even on the .85" setting after reading through the various threads about the front diff issues that are occurring. some of them even at the .85" setting.

 

Hmmm...yeah hadn't considered that on the front...and I just had my front diff replaced! ... Now you have a conundrum my friend. Good luck...I'll stay sub'd to see how it resolves...if anything comes to mind, I'll pipe up with it.

 

I would say that if you can determine how much it has sagged, 1.5 on the AAL would probably get you back to stock height or close too it, BTW, the AAL and 5100's were a WORLD of difference in how the truck felt

 

Stop that! You're putting ideas in my feeble old mind that are giving me a pain in the wallet area of my a$$. Not to mention placing me in jeopardy with my wife.

 

thats true, i could do that. i may still opt for a replacement set of springs as long as they are from a new truck. i'd be worried i'd put the AAL on and it would only be a bandaid for a while and then the problem would be back again.

 

Exactly what I was told.
60k miles for the OE springs.
I used airbags to regain some rear spring.
Bilstein 5100's won't cure what Toyota couldn't do right, but they are an awesome upgrade from the shit that Toyota spec'd.