Leaf Spring Recall: KLUNK from rear. Pre-failure symptoms?

Just yesterday, from the right rear of the truck, there started a KLUNK when hitting the brakes at slower speeds.

In other words, you can brake-brake-brake and cause a klunk-klunk-klunk purposely.

There are a lot of threads about the recall, but I’m wondering if this is a symptom. I did a visual and everything looks okay.

No noise under regular driving, but the KLUNK also happens when going over a speed bump.

Since it’s the right rear, I thought it might be the rubber exhaust straps wearing and the tailpipe hitting something, but I played with the exhaust and it does not seem close enough to anything to KLUNK.

Ideas?

2010 Double-cab 4x4, +1 wheels. NO off-roading or abuse whatsoever.

 

When I bought my truck the bed bolt had worked loose on the passengers side closest to the cab. I didnt notice it on the test drive, but I heard it on the road to my house that is really bumpy.

I could replicate the noise by lifting up on that corner of the bed really easily. The bolt had backed out maybe half an inch.

I'm not saying thats what yours is, but its worth a look.

 

^^^

YES - good idea, i'll look.

 

axle wrap?

 

UPDATE

there is a significant amount of space between the leafs (?) in the leaf-springs on the Passenger side (next to muffler) compared to the driver's side.

i checked the leaf springs on two (2) other co-workers trucks and they don't look like mine.

I'm going to roll to the dealer and see what they say. I will update results.

 

Not sure if it would help , but try tightening your u bolts to 75 ft. lbs of torque.

 

Looks like leafs are screwed up.

 

What does it look like where your leafs are clamped down by the u-bolts?

 

Subd for outcome...

 

Mines clunking too mainly when going over bumps. It isnt really a clunk as much as a tick like when metal is under pressure. Making me think its the leafs even more.

 

Broken Leaf ??

 

UPDATE

CRACK!

upon closer inspection..... seems the cracked ends are rusted, i can only imagine how long ago it cracked, i didn't hear anything. MUST HAVE BEEN LOUD.

it only started making noise the other day, maybe things shifted?

dealer is fixing it at no charge.

don't wait for your official recall appointment, PLEASE CHECK YOURS and if it's broke, get it fixed right away.

i will chime in when i get the truck back.

 

Really this is so uncalled for. Toyota has known for years that they have bad leafs. They really need to deal with the problem instead of waiting for them to sag or break and just replace them.

I now have Hellwig helpers on mine and I will be keeping a close eye on the original leaf pack for problems.

 

And this is why they are sending recall letters out to tell us were getting another letter....someday.

 

Those springs look eaten alive from the inside out. Cheapass steel.

 

you can see the rubber bump stop bottoms out enough to keep the frame "clean." the driver's side is not like this.

once again, i have never hauled a heavy load, i've never towed a trailer, and i have not even been off-road yet. i drive on normal SoCal roads, there are very few potholes.

if you drop off a curb like when coming out of a parking lot, the right rear wheel goes BAM.

i have +1 wheels but it looks like the crack is older than the wheels.

i will advise the results in the ride and noise when i get the truck back.

 

UPDATE:

• it's going to be a few weeks until they get the parts.
• will be all new bushings, etc.
• they said the truck is safe to drive in the meanwhile.
• it's obviously been broke a while, so that's probably right, but the noise did worsen lately.

i have another car, and i'll drive the truck as little as possible.

will advise results here in a few weeks.

 

I would suggest that you park it until fixed. It is just not worth the risk. What if you have to make an emergency stop or swerve? As for the rust on the ends that can happen in a couple days, sometimes over night, with the kind of metal that is used in making springs. The oxidation rate is high on certain metals.
As for a few weeks to get the parts that is crazy. If you went in and ordered the parts for cash they would be there the next day.

 

Maybe the Dealer is trying to wait until the Leaf Recall is sorted out ?? I'd give him 3 weeks and then see the Service manager. As previous post stated - they can get most parts in 24 hours usually max of few days.

 

WOW.... even in non-rust states the leaf springs still break. Tells you a lot about the quality of steel Toyota is using on the leaf springs.