Safety Recall E02, 2005 - 2011 leaf springs

Had my oil change done this morning, and the spring recall was in their computer for my truck! (along with the old hacksawing my gas pedal shorter recall so two or more mats will fit under it... which I decline each time)

Upon further review, there is no solution available yet for the springs (we here already knew that).

 

I'm going ahead and replacing the 3 leaf pack on the truck with the 4 leaf pack I already have with 5k on them when I get a chance. Toyota can add their stupid clip to the 4 leaf pack instead of the 3. My truck is regular cab so the 4 leaf pack will be improvement enough for mine over the sad 3 leafers.

 

That's a bummer if it's just a clip but that wouldn't surprise me in the least. One of my springs broke on my current truck about 500 miles after I bought it last summer. I replaced both sides with general spring aftermarket 3 leafs. Which were awesome for about 10k miles. Now they are just as sagged and squishy as the 120k mile stockers were. I was kind of hoping for some free 4 leafs but perhaps I'll just go ahead and order the progressive AAL's I had in mind before I heard about the potential spring replacement.

 

So If they put on a clip and then I put these on instead Will they leave the rear stock height as they are, or do I have to remove a leaf to have it stock height?

 

On Tacomas they are not a wear item, they came to us inadequate and many were replaced with inadequate springs again. If I had chance to wear mine out I would not complain. I have a second set on mine which you could lay a level on and the spring would touch the full length of the level. Crap springs and crap replacements and the only reason they are having an issue with broken springs possibly being able to touch the gas tank is because crap springs break.

 

That is where you are looking at this from the wrong angle, the problem is in fact the spring breaking, which leads to the secondary problem of it moving and making contact with the fuel tank.

If the spring doesn't break in the first place, it moving won't even be a problem now will it??? Therefore I feel toyota will address the poor quality in leaf springs not failure containment.

 

Dan at Wheeler's told me they lift 2-2.5"

I'm leaning toward their 8-pack and 5100s all around for somewhere between a 1.5 and 2" lift...probably do all that in the spring.

 

If crap springs is the problem then why aren't they recalling the 11+'s and all the 5 luggers that have the same crap springs?

Toyota said they fixed the problem in Oct of 2010 by adding an extra clip while making no mention of improved spring quality and last I checked, nobody is happy with their spring quality on 2011 models and up...

I'm still pretty sure that every one is getting a clip added in.

Look at how they did the runaway Prius recall. They didn't redesign the gas pedal and swap it out for every one. They just cut the bottom off of the old one with a saw. It's costs them less to do that.

 

You're all just going to get a clip added

Signed : Toyota

 

If these were being made in Japan then we could just impose an import ban until they actually fixed an issue vs. a weak ass bandaid approach. Kinda like the beef Japan blocked imports on when there was a mad cow thing back a few years. But since they are made here and employ people to sorta build them here we don't has that card to play and we get bandaids instead of a cure.

 

Yeah, but really all leaf packs are prone to breaking and flattening, it's just the nature of spring metal. Coils do the same thing. Even the LT guys running high quality Deaver leaf packs have breaks here and there and have to rebuild/re-arch their leaf packs every so often.

 

Do they or anyone else sell a leaf pack that doesn't lift the rear?
Probably going to just replace the leaf pack and put firestone ride rite bags under it.

 

What about these from rockauto? They are just OEM leafs, right?

 

Like the old X-Files, I want to believe this logic. It seems to me that crap springs are indeed the problem, with the rash of broken springs reported in the last several months. We'll just have to see how much Mr. Toyoda will step up on this one.

 

REMEDY:
The remedy for this recall is still under development. The recall is expected to begin November 28, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Read this part from safecar.gov. Actually going to set an alarm on my phone and sign up for their email alerts.

 

I was two days away from placing my order with Alcan Springs in Colorado when the recall about stock leaf springs came out. Have been following this thread (BTW - Thanks OP!) so I feel as well informed as anybody else right now.



Guess I will wait on the Alcans for now and see how this recall plays out. If we are lucky enough to get new leaf springs, what is the likelihood that they will bear the 500 pounds over stock static load I carry all of the time, let me tow my ATV on a 12 foot tandem trailer or my 3500 pound tractor on a 1500 pound trailer, and give me a smooth ride when grocery getting?

My original equipment springs (non-TSB) are negative arched quite a bit.



Got a lot of work for my 2007 Prerunner to do before the end of the year. I am thinking that I should go ahead and order the Alcan springs designed for my needs. It seems to me that even if Toyota replaces the leaf springs, and I continue to operate the vehicle within its rated capacity after replacement, that the replacement springs are not going to be sufficient for my needs in the long term.

Thank you in advance for your kind consideration of my dilemma. Not asking anyone to guess one way or the other whether Toyota will replace the leaf springs or not. What I would appreciate most is your opinion (or guess) of the suitability of replacement springs for my needs. In short, should I go ahead and order the Alcans or not?

 

Itswhatido, have you considered Firestone ride rite's?

 

They're definitely not going to provide new springs that will accommodate your workload if they even replace the springs. Your best bet is to go the alcan route or as posted above the ride rites airbags.

 

Such a great truck, but the Second Gen rear springs have never been strong enough, and never designed to carry a truck load it seems? This truck is more used as a car by most, maybe an SUV if 4WD, but it sure doesn't ride or carry a load like other trucks do.

My 2001 had perfect suspension, my 2005 bottomed out with any load or back seat passengers on any bump I hit. I added Ride Rites air bags in back and 5100 rear shocks and the problem was solved. My 2010 had better springs, did not bottom out under the same conditions as the '05 did. However, nearing 70,000 miles, and I think the springs have weakened... I would hope we get new springs that don't have a chance to break and not just a clip that prevents a break for puncturing the fuel tank. We shall see!??

 

I have a 2010 and just bought the ride rites cause of similar issues. The springs seem to be flattening out and seemed to be the only fix I felt capable of handling myself.