OME leaf pack prep question

Hey guys,

I’m using the Low Range Offroad youtube video to guide me when i install my new Dakar MD leaf packs.

In the video they use a 30 mm socket to dive out the supplied bushing

Mine did not come with a bushing but they do have a metal sleeve in each eye loop.

2 questions:
1) Should i remove these sleeves before installing the yellow rubber OME bushings or leave the sleeves in?

2) Should i grease the metal tube that goes in the yellow bushings? (They dont grease it in the video but i assume i should lube it)

Thank you

(link to the video https://youtu.be/spGpKnBejUI
Relevant section starts at 3:55 if anyone is interested)

 

Here is the sleeve which I’m wondering whether or not to remove

 

Grease the metal sleeve but not the outside bushing. Yes remove the sleeve. I don't think the bushingings would even go in with that sleeve in there.

 

My leafs did not come with the bushings installed either. I didn not remove a sleeve but I don’t remember if there even was one. I just greased the inside of the of the bushings (where the grooves are) and pressed them in with my boot (maybe not in that order). I believe the grease goes between the plastic bushing and the metal tube that runs through them, not between the plastic bushing and the leaf spring.

 

Don’t forget to inspect your shackles for interference with the 2nd leaf. I’d recommend shaving some before install but it’s doable afterwards as well.

And loosen your center pin enough to use a screwdriver or pry bar and separate the leafs enough to get lots of grease in between the leaf packs or you will be an unhappy camper with a squeaky truck!

 

Oof, I’ve never heard of this interference problem. Are u suggesting i should shave the aft end of the 2nd leaf?

Also anyone got tips on removing that sleeve from the eye loops?

 

I’m skeptical that you need to remove that sleeve. It makes more sense to me that it is intended to house the bushing instead of leaf spring itself.

 

Do not remove the sleeve until you have verified fitment of the poly bushings. I’m sure the poly bushings will slide in there. If you remove that sleeve the bushing will fit loosely in the front eye and it will wear prematurely and get torn up by the tapered spring end.
And older version of Dakars came with a pressed in bushing with a metal sleeve. The newer version does not have the pressed in bushing and you can install a poly bushing at both ends. See my old thread here (which is now obsolete):

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/change-the-front-bushings-in-your-dakars.479071/

since that video is three years old, they were most likely using the older version of Dakars.

 

Wow thank you both! That makes so much sense, i was about to pry it out tomorrow.

 

Yep. Here’s a pic of mine. Lots just shorten it altogether but I just made the bevel bigger so I would still have the squeak pad.

 

^That might look a bit different than your truck OP, I have hammer hangers but those are stock shackles and Dakar’s.

Good luck with it!

 

Thanks again, hopefully i dont have to grind the leaf down because I’d have to go buy a grinder

 

How did this install go for you? Mine just shipped, ETA Tuesday next week (Wheelers)

 

Went well, there was no interference with the leaf.

I struggled to align the leaf pack center pin with the hole in the axel but some TW members helped me out. You want to do front shackle, rear shackle, then center pine and u bolts in that order. I couldnt align the axel with the center pin because my dumbass still had the other tire on the axel so I couldnt move it around. Once I removed the other wheel, thanks to the advice of some members, it was easy to align.

Did you install yet?

 

I did get this installed. Fronts done that Tuesday afternoon when they delivered and leafs the following day.

I had a similar issue with the pin until I realized I just needed to separate the frame from the axle further, then it went smooth. I used a hi lift on the rear hitch to lift the body and floor jack / jack stands on the axle.

No interference for me either. Oddly, had a hell of a time getting the lower shock to seat enough to get the bolt through.

Once I figured out the drivers side I was able to make quick work on the passenger side.

How are your vibrations?

 

I think I get a little rumble when I accelerate between 20-30 mph but I don't usually cruise at that speed so I'm not too concerned about it. I might remove the cb drop spacers and see if it worsens or improves

 

For me it was worse when I removed it, seems better with 2-3 washers packed in there with it but at this point I’m pretty sure it won’t go away without shims. 2 washers on it, then I put 350lbs on the tailgate side of the bed (installed a few toilets) and it was worse on the drive home, then improved w/ out that weight.

Also have had a hard time gauging the variables on the rattles, it dumped snow right after I installed the lift so I’ve been in 4wd for about 40% of 3 gas tanks since the install as well as driving on snowpacked and rutted out streets. To top it off, 2 days after install I had OV Tune installed, and 2 days after that I replaced the tires (I was at 4/32’d on my Wildpeaks and got $300 credit toward another set due to mileage warranty).

Ideally I would have done 1 and put miles on to get a feel for it, done another, more miles, and so on.

I have an RSi cap on order also, so I’m not messing with the shims until I get that on and decide if I’m going to add another leaf.

After all that is done and settled, I’ll have the ECGS bearing put in.

At some point, I will be complete.

 

I was gonna ask you in your thread, but this was more recent so... here is goes.

I have the older dakars, part number cs047r
two weeks ago I removed the front bushings, it was the sleeve type in there
I put in some poly bushings that i ordered from headstrong so i am not for sure certain the brand name, but there was some play so it was less than a perfect snug fit...

I was already into the swap and it is my daily driver, so I went ahead and finished the install...
Now I have developed a faint vibration, kinda feels like a driveline vibe but my butt/brain feels like its emanating from passenger rear wheel and not so much down the center if that makes sense, it only happens around 2k rpm in 3rd gear (i have the 6mt), this vibe was for sure not there before this little project, so this leads me to believe that the slight play in the front eyelet from these poly bushings could very well be the culprit

I am not happy with any vibrations ever really so I am going to replace these poly bushings I just put in with some oem rubber bushings...
my research is coming up with a part number 90389-a0003, it is an oem toyota rubber bushing that I know for certain people are using on both the front and rear eyelet of the new update version dakar leaf packs

so my question to you now is: do you think this part number will work well in the front eyelet of my old dakars? or should I be looking to source the sleeved version oem rubber bushing??

 

I have no idea honestly. I don’t have my Dakars anymore so I couldn’t even measure to verify. They should fit, in theory, since my old thread was based on using bushings designed for the new Dakar pack to replace the sleeved insert. Worst case scenario, you’ll have the same situation that the old thread was trying to correct: a front bushing that can walk out of place. You’ll know right away if the bushing will fit or if you’ll have any play.
Really wish I could be of more help but that’s all I have.

 

thank you for the reply! ordered some parts so will see how round two goes!