Squeaky Dakars : Any advice from others with the Dakars ?

Thanks OZ!

 

So, I too have the squeaky Dakars, and have read at least 20 pages of this thread. I'm curious as to why no one has mentioned a product that was made for this application...

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Shop/Speedway-Leaf-Spring-Liners/20.html

Or if you wanted to drill a few holes...

http://www.autoandtrucksprings.com/catalog/Leaf_Spring_Tip_Inserts-198-1.html

Has anyone tried something like these?

 

I like the liners

Thanks for the link

 

No problem. You mean, you like your solution? or the leaf spring liners I posted?

Im definitely not bashing your solution. In fact, it's genius and it's really nice to know where the noise is coming from... so thanks for that!

 

I like the leaf spring tip inserts. I think Dakar should have them installed in all leaves except overload.

I had time to try and diagnose my squeaking leaves, and I am not 100% certain yet (need a mechanics stethoscope), but I think mine are squeaking at the urethane bushing. I greased it really good on install day, but I think it's squeaking now. The crappy thing is, there is no way to service the bushing with more grease? Anybody have any ideas?

 

No , I'm seriously , I like the liners you linked

I'm wary of drilling holes at that location of the leaf spring for the inserts but that may be unfounded

 

I found the creak to sound like it was coming from the front bushing but it was actually coming from the military wrap on the leaf without a tip insert

 

I just ordered this:

$25 Lisle 52750 Stethoscope Kit

Lisle 52750 Automotive Stethoscope Kit. It should help greatly in pinpointing where the noise is coming from.

I was actually referring to the rear bushing which, in my case is urethane. The urethane will squeak like a mofo without maintenance. The front bushing is rubber and is pressed in at the factory by Dakar and will / should not squeak.

I also ordered this: Lumax LX-1416 Silver 18G 1-1/2" Long Stainless Steel Grease Injector



Not sure it's going to work, but it's nice to have and if it does, I'll jump for joy.

 

Nice .

Yeah , I went with the OEM Toyota bushings for the rears in my Dakars and have never had squeak issues from them

 

I use WD-40 for every metal to metal squeaking noise around the house. So when my Dakar started to squeak, I just sprayed it into the gaps, and it would go silence for about 2 weeks.

Rinse and repeat every 2 weeks for me

 

My EPDM strips last about 6-8 months

 

I was under the impression the rubber bushings have to be pressed in with a press? How did you get them in there?

That's a lot of maintenance! Do you take your truck off road? i.e. wet oil + dirt = nasty mess. No?

 

It takes about 5 seconds to spray each side, and I don't even have to get under the truck. It gives me an opportunity to inspect other nuts and bolts around there anyway.

Yes, it gets gunky with dirt, but a stream of water from a garden hose can handle it without problem.

 

good to hear. Thanks.

 

We just used a bench vise it was pretty straight forward

 

I used seafoam on my rear bushings and found thats where its been squeaking.. least for me.. I know its not a long term solution but least I know where its squeaking at

 

Oh yea.. it bubbled a bunch out.. and so far ..only been two days but has not squeaked since

 

Drill holes, put isolators in. It's the only way for 100% success.

 

I just purchased the full OME kit from Wheelers Offroad today. Kit should be here next week. Do the 1st gen Tacomas have the same Dakar squeak problems as the 2nd Gen? If so, what do you recommend I do before installing the leaf packs to prevent that dreaded squeak. I see some kind of pool liners were recommended along with OEM Toyota bushings and other things such as grease and zipties. Wheelers recommended I try putting a thick grease in between the individual leafs. But that seems like it would collect a lot of dirt & grime. Has anyone found a solid solution for this?

 

@scocar