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Squeaky leaf springs

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by farmer_kyle, Oct 3, 2016.

  1. Oct 3, 2016 at 11:54 AM
    #1
    farmer_kyle

    farmer_kyle [OP] Well-Known Member

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    3.5" (adjusted to 4.5") fabtech suspension lift. 15x8 procomp 252 crawlers. 32x11.5 BFG Ko2's.
    Hey I've read some forums on here that show how to stop squeaky leaf springs. I have tried silicone spray and wd-40 but it doesn't suppress the sound at all. Is there a spray-on lubricant that will fix this for good?
    I don't necessarily have the time to try the "bike tube method"
    Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
     
  2. Oct 3, 2016 at 1:29 PM
    #2
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    Some, if not all, of the squeaking is due to the ends of the lower leaves rubbing against
    the leaf right above. This method is not recommended by some, but I've had success in the past :

    Block the wheels on one side of the truck and apply the parking brake
    Jack up the rear corner on the opposite side
    - jack up on the frame, not the axle, until the tire is just off the ground
    - the suspension on that side should now be at 'full droop'
    The leaves should have all retracted a bit, from the upper leaves
    Smear a bit of axle grease at the ends where they contact the upper leaf
    Lower the truck

    Repeat for opposite side
     
  3. Oct 5, 2016 at 12:21 AM
    #3
    bry838

    bry838 Well-Known Member

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    If you've given the leafs a good soaking shot of WD or something similar without any results whatsoever then id really think something else is up??? Like perhaps its coming from somewhere else? Body/bed mounts possibly? IDK, just seems weird you havent gotten any relief with some shots of lube....
     
  4. Oct 5, 2016 at 8:09 AM
    #4
    tan4x4

    tan4x4 Well-Known Member

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    WD40 is NOT A LUBRICANT. Its a solvent .
     
  5. Oct 5, 2016 at 8:12 AM
    #5
    Dcsleeper408

    Dcsleeper408 Well-Known Member

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    I used some spray silicone grease between the leafs.
    Got into some dirt this last weekend. And noise came right back.
    Just gotta live with it for now. I like it when people look at me going slow squeaking through speed bumps. lol
     
  6. Oct 5, 2016 at 8:14 AM
    #6
    keakar

    keakar Well-Known Member

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    remove rear shocks and bounce truck, I bet its the shocks doing the squeaking

    if grease and wd40 made no difference then its not the springs that are making the noise, might even be the shackle bushings
     
    Dcsleeper408 likes this.
  7. Oct 5, 2016 at 3:05 PM
    #7
    TacoDell

    TacoDell Truck ~n~ Tow

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    WD40 = Water Displacement 40

    it's not a lubricant nor solvent per say...
    tho' it is often unfriendly to rubber and some plastics.

    WD40 rarily ends squeaking of metal to metal contact
    except for maybe short periods, post application.

    Progressive Lf springs use plastic pads
    established, inbetween, near the end of each individual leaf
    so as to slide more easily and eliminate metal to metal contact.

    Std. leaf springs generally don't utilize plastic pads - pucks between each individual leaf.
    And so lubrication is likely the only option.

    as was stated previously...
    Separating the individual leafs and greasing their ends helps to reduce squeak.
    A quality high pressure/water proof grease should be utilized.
    Leaf spring clean up and a re-grease will become a routine service.
    Especially if ya get 'dem dirty off road.

    The spring eye(s) bushing can also be to blame...
    and so they should be greased well
    along with the bolts and sleeves securing them.

    suppose you could just turn up the radio volume
    and ignore !? Lol
     
    Dcsleeper408 likes this.
  8. Oct 5, 2016 at 11:53 PM
    #8
    Jerrfylube

    Jerrfylube Well-Known Member

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    ACTUALLY, it's both. 50% aliphatic hydrocarbons, 25% petroleum base oil and the rest being other hydrocarbons, propellant and inert ingredients.

    It's a poor lubricant but a lubricant nonetheless. ;)

    Spraying it on your leaf springs may silence them temporarily but they squeak will come back and you will have made an oily/dusty mess in the process.
     
    Last edited: Oct 6, 2016
    Obsessed2000 likes this.

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