Squeaky Dakars : Any advice from others with the Dakars ?

The silencer pads ( leaf spring spacers) are great. My Toyota factory leaves had them and they never made noise. If I could confidently drill the requisite holes in the leaf ends, i would put those in today. If the zip ties don't hold up I think I may try...

 

Just turn up the radio!

 

Good to hear that. Keep us posted on how long they last.

Edit, here was my attempt:

 

I have the smae problem they replaced both of my leafsprings and so far working but Toyota said they are working on issueing a recall for 2015s

 

At 10,000km my dakars front (pre installed) bushings started squeaking. And at now 12,000km the front bushings seem shot. Turning the truck side to side you hear a clunk and shaking the truck side to side you can see the leaf moves side to side and hits the hangers. Trying to figure out the best bushing to replace them with now. Also trying to decide weather to pull the 3rd leaf or top overload at the same time.

 

has anyone used the liner for the full length of the liners? If so as there a layer done for every leaf or just certain ones?

I'm about to order dakars so just trying to figure out a solution before install

 

Beckett Corporation Beckett LP1 EPDM/PVC Liner Patch Kit Used for Koi Ponds, Water Gardens, and Fountains, Black

http://smile.amazon.com/Beckett-LP1...ywords=pond+liner&refinements=p_36:2661612011


These work?
They have an adhesive side...

 

I've put the liners in my springs and had them in my truck maybe 2 months and easily 2500 miles now... Haven't made any noise yet

 

The solution I used was three heavy duty Ty-raps at the front and rear on the second leaf from the top. Put them in the same day I installed the leaf packs. About 6 months ago. Not a squeak has been heard even with all the dust here in AZ. I used Thomas and Betts brand.
A. That's what I had
B. They've always seemed sturdier than a 3M or GB zip-Tys from a local home improvement mega store.

I know they will wear but as of now, they show very little signs of wear

 

I tried the pond liner EPDM stuff. Not as durable as I hoped. It lasted only a very short time for me. I off-road quite frequently so leafs are a-flexin' a lot, hence lots of chewing.

GOod.

I did mine a little different, by securing to the main spring.

I discovered I had to secure them to the eye, or they'll walk down the leafs.



And because I used not very strong tie wraps, they do occasionally break, and they walk.


Next time I have the leaf pack off, I'm putting in some of these for a permanent fix.

 

I've noticed that my biggest issue is creaking from the bushings. As long as I keep them sprayed about every 6 weeks with lithium grease, they stay relatively quiet. But those bushings are quite the squeaky wheel. I've loosened and re-torqued them under the vehicles weight, but it didn't seem to help. They just want to be loud I guess.

 

Which bushings squeak? And without a zerk fitting, how are you administering grease? You just spraying the outer part?

My Dakar pack had a rubber bushing pressed in from the factory in the for the front of the leaves. I used Wheelers Poly bushing for the rear. I greased the poly ones with heavy synthetic grease, inside, outside, steel sleeve, inside, outside, greased the bolt. They haven't made a peep since they went in almost a year ago.

They keep quiet.

 

I just wedge the straw in there and let it rip. I doubt its getting the best penetration, but it is enough to keep them silent for a while. I haven't reached the point of annoyance to want to pull the entire pack out and redo the bushings (its all four by the way). Maybe one day when I just feel like dumping a few hours time into it. But I'm not there yet. I do keep the can of lithium in my truck though for those days I'm out and about and cant take it anymore. I'll just pull over and spray the bejesus out of the bushings and enjoy sweet silence for a while.

 

Mine are squeaking like a son of a gun!!
It's driving me bonkers. I thought about replacing all my bushings and seeing if that takes care of it but, after speaking to someone on the matter, I think I'll just put molly grease in between the leafs and see if that does the trick first.

 

mine are still quiet as the day I installed. The ty-raps are holding strong

 

Lucky!

 

Did you do the EPDM strips or Crom's zip tie fix ?

 

I know I am quoting an old post and I haven't read the rest to catch up but when I did my OMD mod springs I had my wife bring down the cut springs to a spring shop, they heated up and punched holes for some leaf pads. I had them do 4 springs (2 per side), so that's 8 holes and the pads for them and I think it was 30 something dollars. She said it took about 15 minutes or so for them to do it to. Not bad and best of all no noise.

 

I actually did do the EPDM Strips before I initially installed the leaf pack.
I guess I could try Crom's Zip Tie Fix first and if that doesn't quiet things down, I will go with the molly grease.

 

Nice. I've replaced my ty-raps at the front bushings, once on each side of the truck, the rears seem to hold okay. I think they break from off-roading.

Excellent! My factory Toyota leaf springs never made one squeak in 5 years / 50K miles.

If I ever have a reason to pull the Dakar leaf pack out of the truck, I'm drilling holes and puttin in some

$9 Dorman 924-070 Rear Leaf Spring Insert Compatible with Select Models, 4 Pack

Dorman leaf spring spacers.