Rear leaf suspension TSB still harsh...

I had new leaf springs put on my 2006 Tacoma. Since the truck was out of warrantee the dealer gave me a good price on the springs, however the truck is still having problems in that it feels and does bottom outwith very little light loads(400pounds). The dealer can't see anything wrong but to me it is wrong. Shocks seem OK only 60K miles. Dealer suggested airbags but that doesn't make sense if I'm not hauling a big load. The springs look flat, almost a negative arch which I have seen on some other Tacoma's. Is this normal? How much distance should there be from the bump stop and the frame? I have just over and inch. Anybody have any thoughts on this?

 

An inch between the stop & frame ???....


PICS, I gotta see this....

 

x2 lets gets some pics

 

should look similar to this when completed....
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/133962-leaf-tsb-completed-2011-pics.html

 

The TSB springs are crap too

 

One inch from the top of the bumper stop to the bottom of the frame with no load in the bed. Is this normal

 

NO

post pics please like asked earlier......lots of guys on here who know their shit......(lots that dont too but you can usually tell).

I went and measured for ya......I have almost 3" of space between the rear stops and the frame. 2 3/4" all day............no lift.........bone stock.

 

No , this is not normal by any standard, thats why in order to determine a cause/remedy a few good pics are needed...

& that dealer (assuming you spoke with a service writer) is going to try to scrape you off like a scab with suggestions of airbags,etc; so you'll go away.... typical of stealerships

 

That does not make any sense. What kind of springs did that dealer sell you? Pot metal? Maybe something got bent or broken.

 

wrong shackles?

 

My non-tsb springs bottom out if I eat a big lunch and I have about 3" of clearance. Double check that measurement and get a pic.

 

really...I haven't heard?

 

For the record, every OEM spring hanging off a 'yota since '95.5 is shit

(including the TSB)

 

Well, here is a pic of my 97 with frowning springs. I have a topper and carry a minimum of 500 lbs (toolbox) and up to 1000-1500 lbs on occasion. I have about 2" clearance right now, and you can see the bumper stops have been mashed against the frame plenty of times!
My question is, can I flip the overload springs to give it some more support and clearance?

 

That is not the fix. The best fix is to replace those springs with an aftermarket set that has higher capacity like Dakars. Another (cheaper) option is to get a set of helper springs like the Helwigs. I have a set for sale here: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/1...sale/421254-helwig-ez-500-helper-springs.html

 

So.. what you're saying is the TSB springs are crap also

You can flip the overload and make it part of the active leaf pack however I would strongly advise you not to do that. The overload is just a 1/2" thick piece of steel, not a while lot of 'spring' when the truck is unloaded. It will support the weak existing leaf pack but it'll ride like absolute shit! You'd also end up putting stress on the ends of the leaf pack. Since the middle won't give any longer due to the overload being part of the leaf pack, most of the spring would be coming from the last 6" of the leaf pack. Eventually, you'll just break a leaf. I'd suggest either air bags, Timbrens or an AAL (either manufactured or the OMD method) before I'd even think about flipping the overload.

 

Thanks, I realize what I really need is new leaf packs,( and a new truck to put 'em on) but I was just trying to postpone that. I was worried that it might not be a good idea to flip them over, that's why I asked. Thanks again for saving me some trouble down the road.