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New Drive Shaft = Worse Axle Wrap?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by BetheaUSA, Jul 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM.

  1. Jul 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
    #1
    BetheaUSA

    BetheaUSA [OP] New Member

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    Recently had a new drive shaft installed and axle wrap is worse. I did not install the drive shaft myself, however would like to understand if something could have been done wrong to cause the axle wrap, or has it just exposed old leaf springs. Your thoughts?

    2001 Tacoma Extended Cap 4WD 3.4 with 5 speed. Rear end has 1" block, Blisten 5100s and rides on 285/75/16s 180,000 miles.

    Thank you as I am attempting to gain information before I take it back to the shop to ask about the issue or if I even should take it back and begin to look up the leafs.

    As we are new to Tacoma World, and this is my first post, the site has been awesome in many ways so thanks in advance.
     
  2. Jul 4, 2025 at 1:05 PM
    #2
    Madjik_Man

    Madjik_Man The Rembrandt of Rattle Can

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    Axle wrap is usually caused by sagging rear leaf springs causing an undesirable angle of the driveshaft.

    I don't believe a 1" block changes the geometry of the driveline.
     
    BetheaUSA[OP] likes this.
  3. Jul 4, 2025 at 1:18 PM
    #3
    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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    Why did the driveshaft need to be replaced? Was the sliding yoke on it functional or not? Were you getting a thud when stopping or when first acelerating from a stop?

    Is the new drive shaft OEM stock with the sliding yoke? And did they grease the sliding yoke?

    Searching for clues here.

    Note: blocks increase axle wrap.
     
    BetheaUSA[OP] and TnShooter like this.
  4. Jul 4, 2025 at 1:22 PM
    #4
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    True axle wrap is caused by the leaf springs.
    Anytime the axle is mounted further away from the leafs, it gets worse.
    Think of the spacer block as adding length to a wrench. The longer the wrench, the more leverage you get.
    That leverage is "twisting" the leafs and causing "wrap".

    Why it started after a driveshaft replacement is a different issue.
    As the driveshaft should not make it worse......or change anything.
     
    BetheaUSA[OP] likes this.
  5. Jul 5, 2025 at 9:01 AM
    #5
    BetheaUSA

    BetheaUSA [OP] New Member

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    Thank you all for the help. This helps a lot. I'm going to take it back to the shop and let them listen to it to play it safe, then focus on getting new leaf springs, some that allow the needed 1-2" of lift I would like. Just bouncing on truck you can tell they are wore out.
     
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  6. Jul 5, 2025 at 12:41 PM
    #6
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    I always recommend using leafs to gain lift if you can afford it. They typically use more leafs and are a bit thicker/stiffer at mounts. This helps stop the wrap. Harder to wrap a thick spring.

    Of course you’ll trade off some ride comfort. But that’s the name of the game.
     
    BetheaUSA[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  7. Jul 8, 2025 at 8:53 PM
    #7
    joelrpsu

    joelrpsu Member

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    I need leaf springs for my 99 Tacoma- I keep getting asked what package I have. I don't know. The vin is 4TASM92N8XZ408788.
     
  8. Jul 8, 2025 at 9:28 PM
    #8
    TnShooter

    TnShooter The TacomaWorld Stray

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    Looks like it has a VX package.
    See the file attached.
     

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