Safety Recall E02, 2005 - 2011 leaf springs

so I lost one of my bump stops (I had some coil springs as a little lift "zuk mod" type deal) I have taken them off but can't find one of my bump stops. does anyone think that will be an issue; like will they make me buy one from them?

 

I just took my tacoma for the Recall inspection, My car is affected, they estimate 2 months before they get the parts to fix the issue. Seems to me they were going to replace the entire spring system on both sides.

But must not be a real pressing issue, since they expect a long delay in obtaining the repair parts.

 

I got new bump stops are part of the spring "part"

 

So, I have a security camera in my garage, and it occurred to me I might be able to see the difference by looking at a pic from before the springs were replaced, and one after. Amazingly, I parked in the EXACT same spot when I returned from the dealership yesterday.

So, below, the first image in the animation was shot at 8am shortly before I left for the dealership, the second was shot around 1pm, shortly after I'd returned. No other changes occurred, only the spring swap. There is no weight difference in the vehicle, etc.

Original springs were the TSB 4-leaf put on ~2010, new springs are the recall springs. It looks to be sitting close to 2" lower to me. It's a big difference visually.

 

I dunno if it's 2" lower, but it's clearly lower. There was another thread about this. If you had 4-leaf TSB springs before the correct part number for the new springs is supposed to be 04005-34404. If you can check your work order, see if it says they used SPRING KIT, RR LEAF 04005-34304.

The 04005-34304 is what I got but I didn't have TSB springs to start with. My truck raised just a bit and is a much better, slightly more firm, ride. They are 4 leaf (3 main + 1 overload) where as my originals were 3 leaf (2 + 1).

So the new springs aren't as bad as the originals, although they may not be sufficient spring rate. OTOH the ride might be better with an empty bed. I have a topper and a bunch of junk in the back so my original springs were crap and these are probably barely enough.

 

Sigh. . . sure enough, they put the wrong ones on:



sooooo frustrating.

 

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM496226/RCMN-14V604-9451.pdf

I don't know if they are wrong per say, but the Recall notice states "The following leaf spring kit should only be installed on vehicles who previously had T-SB-0359-10, Rear Spring Harsh Ride, performed on the vehicle. This kit will only be needed in rare cases, the inspection procedure in the TI will identify if this kit is needed."

They did solve the "harsh" ride on my truck, though, which seems to be because the truck was riding on the bump stops all the time. But their spring rate must be lower than the TSB springs since you lost lift. I gained a little, though, even with the weight.

So apparently Canada and Mexico spec trucks got real leafs?

 

My 2005 DC 4x4 had crap rear leafs... bottomed out with any back seat passengers going over speed bumps! Dealer was not going to help.
I installed Ride Rite air bags and 5100 shocks, problem solved.

Traded it for my 2010 DC 4x4 (made in Baja, Mexico) Tacoma, keeping my air bags from the 2005, just in case. The new Mexican made Tacoma did NOT bottom out with back seat passengers over speed bumps. Better springs indeed (still 3 leaf)!

Last year, after 5 years of good driving, I replaced the leaking stock Bilstein shocks for new 5100s and decided to add my old Ride Rites to help the aging leaf springs. Winner... much better ride, once again.

I am told by my dealer the Recall new leafs are now available for my truck... BUT, they will not reinstall my Ride Rites after the springs are switched. Of course, the bump stops are gone, as the Ride Rites replace them in the same location.

What to do??? Any reason to get new springs when the old Mexican installed ones may be just fine? Just pay to have the Ride Rites re-installed and get the new, free leaf springs?

 

Yes, the real reason for the recall is the leaf packs don't have enough clamps to prevent a broken spring from cutting the fuel tank. Now the underlying reason they break is corrosion and in CA you probably aren't really going to see a rust issue, but leaf springs do break from fatigue.

I held off putting on a lift until I got these springs because now I'll have a set on the shelf that I can rebuild and use. I mean, they are giving you brand new leaf springs for free, so why not take what they're giving? Obviously trying to get uprated springs and deal with the air bags is a pain that you have to decide is worth the trouble or not.

This is the technical instruction if you want to see how to inspect them.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM517737/RCRIT-14V604-9602.pdf

 

Great link there Dave!

 

FUDGE!! I just looked at mine and they installed the wrong one as well. G@#Damn it!

 

I'm not sure they are wrong or not. The notice specs out a different part number for the dealer to order but has anyone confirmed that they are actually different part numbers on the springs themselves? I got 48220-04290 screened on my springs with part number 04005-34304 on the work order. It's not impossible that everyone is just getting uprated springs now so the 04005-34404 springs could just be a different part number for the same springs.

 

I'm in Washington and I haven't gotten the 3rd letter as of July 27th. You don't need the letter to get the recall done.

Maybe I'll get these

$205 ICON 1.5" Lift Add-A-Leaf Kit, Compatible with 1996-Up Toyota Tacoma/00-06 Tundra, 51100

https://www.amazon.com/Vehicle-Dynamics-Toyota-1-5in-51100/dp/B00F0R7FWE?ie=UTF8, anyone using them?

 

My Tacoma Baby is currently at Fred Haas Toyota Country being dressed up in new leaf springs. Got a chance to visit with Mike the tech doing the work(appreciate that). No visible corrosion and I have not done any heavy pulling. Mileage is @97,000. Suspension should be beefier with four springs instead of original three as well as the extra clamps as noted above. The tech said he has seen one Tacoma that was obviously in need of new springs(high mileage and heavy pulling).

 

Thanks for posting this. I took mine to the dealer this week and was told it would be a few months before they get the springs in. Now I can call and make sure they ordered the right ones.

 

That's the same # I got on mine to replace the cheesy 3 pack. I never got the TSB springs. My truck is about the same height, but the ride is way better. I'm satisfied with them for now.

 

All of you folks who have the TSB 3+1 springs beware; most dealers are too lazy to inspect your truck properly. Here is my story from another post:

Anyone else having problems with their local Toyota dealer getting the right springs put on? My 05 DC had the Harsh Ride TSB springs done years ago, and I am pleased with them (I tow a camper). Got my recall letter in June, took it to dealer for "inspection". They said I qualify for the recall and would call me when parts came in. Waited 3 weeks and called them. They said not in yet. I wanted to verify the part # for the springs on order; 04005-34404. They said that's the wrong number, should be 04005-34304. Said that's the ones for all AC/DC models. Tried arguing over the phone, gave up and drove over to them with a copy of the TI in hand. At first they tried to tell me the 34404 ones only applied to Canadian/Mexican region trucks. I argued some more. Finally a management type agreed with me, said they have never done the 34404 springs for any truck so far, and would have to open a case file and get Toyota to approve. They inspected the truck again. I thought all was good to go now. A day later they called back, said I need to bring truck back a 3rd time so they could take pictures and collect "data" before Toyota will approve. We'll see what happens after the pictures.
Update: Took the truck in a 3rd time, they took pictures and told me they would submit to Toyota.

Anyone who had the wrong spring set installed and are unhappy with the drop in ride height, go back and demand they do it right! Not saying the new 34404 set will be better, since I have not had mine done yet, but at least they should do what Mr. Toyota promised.

 

Gotta double check mine later

 

The dealer installed the wrong ones on mine too. They called and said the number should start with a 9. Anyone else get the correct ones the second time around? If so, what number did you get so I know what to look for? I'm taking it back Monday for the "correct" springs and rear differential leak.

 

Will Toyota do the recall if you have lift blocks on your springs?