Broken Leaf Spring

Well hello everybody! I'm new here, been reading for a bit though. Lately I've been looking at new summer tires for the spring and have been looking here for sizes and suggestions, but now I have bigger problems! This ended up quite long so a TL;DR is at the bottom.

For Reference: 2009 Tacoma, SR5, 4x4, 4 cylinder, 5 speed standard, ~110k Km (I'm in Canada, not the US)

I had a few errands to run today, so I went out, opened the door, jumped in, and BANG! Didn't sound good but I had a quick look around and didn't see anything obviously wrong (Clearly I didn't look closely enough) so I went along my way. It seems to be riding rougher than usual, and when I go over a speed bump there is a terrible bang, similar to the first. I have another look in a parking lot, and this time I notice something seems off about the driver's side leaf. Thankfully I do make it back home and crawl under for a better look and to take some pictures.

From the pictures you can see that part of one the leaves is straight up gone. It's not in the driveway, so I have no idea where it is. I've come to discover that my vehicle is covered by the leaf spring recall. My understanding of the Toyota website is that they still do not have parts for this, but of course the dealer is not open today for me to go get more information. I'll go in tomorrow and see what I can find out. Also, this is not the first time the leafs have broken. I know that the previous owner had broken and replaced both leaf springs previously.

I'm looking for opinions though. How bad is this? I can't imagine this is a good idea to drive on, but I don't have much of a choice at the moment. I was always hoping to lift if I ever got the money, and based on my reading here it seems Toyota may reimburse for leaf replacements. In that case, I'm hoping I may be able to get Old Man Emu Dakar leafs and get reimbursed. Is this really a good idea though? I should really replace the shocks with longer ones if I go with a lifted leaf right? And then it may also be a good idea for extended brake lines, and a differential drop may be required if I have shudders. Unfortunately I don't think I'd be able to afford to lift the front as well (Mostly because I'd like to do it properly with new coils, shocks, and control arms) so it would end up with just the rear lifted for some unknown period of time. Thoughts and opinions?

TL;DR: Broke a leaf spring, what to do now?

 

It's not the main leaf, your good. If it were me I'd replace the leaf asap but it's acceptable as is. Hell here in pa state yearly safety inspection will pass a truck with a broken leaf as long as it's not the main leaf.

 

Same thing happened to me I called my dealer and they rushed me in, they told me to go right to them and they would give me a loaner. For the next day. I have heard them tell people they they are waiting for more. But if they break somehow they come up with a set. I would call your dealer and see what happens. I had mine back in two days. Because they coated the frame at the same time.

 

I don't think they will reimburse you for an aftermarket pack, but I could be wrong.
I would say, do the lift now. Gotta get that broken leaf off eventually. No better time than the present.
Best of luck.

some references for you:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tacoma-lift-faq-guide-read-this.11282/
http://www.tacomahq.com/66/tacoma-leveling-lift-kit/

 

Yes Toyota's huge quality letdown continues . The cracking leaf spring problem Has been going on for two years and Toyota still drags their rears on reimbursements for people who had to fix their problem . Many people I know who phone the perpetually lame ,apologetic so called "customer service " robots at Toyota just recite the same drivel " we are still awaiting for a 'fix' and you will get a letter when you can submit your receipts" ...months later we still await ... Nice job ToyoLet ,you sell trucks with crap springs and we spend plenty of money and have to wait for you ? Huge disappointment... Billions of profits and this lame support ..

 

At this point call the dealer and let them know a leaf snapped. Hopefully they can magically procure a new set of springs.

 

I had my '03 on the lift this past weekend to repair an exhaust leak and discovered a snapped leaf (middle one as well), but surely mine is beyond the point of Toyota footing the bill.

 

Since this is a major recall item I'm sure if you raise a little hell they'd get you in pretty quick. Find the actual recall number for the leaf springs and mention that they're being replaced because they could snap and puncture the gas tank or cut the brake line. That might light a fire under them.

 

Well I called in today and spoke to the Service department. They are useless. They will do absolutely nothing even though it is recalled, because they don't have the recall parts. They said to get it fixed at a local shop at my expense and it would be reimbursed when another notice goes out, which they also have no timeline for. I'm not impressed at all, and unfortunately there is only one dealer around here. I'm going to the local spring shop tomorrow to see what they can do. I'm not even sure if it should be repaired because the leaf above the broken one almost looks cracked as well, but I'll see what the shop says. The other side probably isn't in great shape either, so maybe I'll get the shop to replace them both if it comes down to it. The best price on a set of Dakars I can find in Canada is $670 for just the leafs, but then I'd still need bushings and U bolts ordered from the US. I'm still not sure how I feel about just putting in just lifted leafs anyway, and I probably wouldn't be able to do the front until next summer or later.

 

Well now I've gotten the same response from Toyota Canada; Repair it yourself and you will be reimbursed at some undetermined time. This is pretty disappointing considering the response you guys get south of the border. Hopefully the spring shop will be able to fix this tomorrow, because clearly Toyota has no intentions of doing much of anything.

 

Turns out there were 2 leaves broken on the driver's side and 1 on the passenger side! I can't imagine they all broke Sunday so who knows how long they were broken. Cost me $350 (CAD) between parts and labor. I'll be keeping the invoice to get a refund for Toyota when (if) they ever get the second notice out.

 

It would have been nice if they had recommended a place to go to, and had taken care of the bill. Now your going to have to fight them to get reimburse. Did you get anything in writing?

 

It certainly would have been, but no I did not get anything in writing. From the recall notice though:

Still not impressed with the local dealer or Toyota's response on this. I plan get Dakars next summer when I can afford to lift the front and back

 

I would not sit on this, go in and talk face to face to the Service Manger about the repair work done. Make note of date and time who you talked to, and if your not satisfied make copies and send it register mail to Toyota.

 

I will when I can find time, but it probably will have to wait until after Christmas at this point. The recall notice also says if you have a problem that a dealership will repair it at no cost to you, but clearly that didn't happen. I really wish there was another dealer around here, although even Toyota Canada gave me the same line as the dealer so maybe that's their policy up here regardless of how shitty it is.

 

Wouldnt this be on them is something serious happened because of this?? I don't understand why they wouldn't have enough the recal has been out for a wile.

 

This cost them money, their's other priorities like the gas pedal & air bags. As they drag their feet, their hoping you might ether sell it or wreck it. I'm pretty sure if you contact the dealership, and the manufacture they'll do something about. Only other option is to contact NHTSA http://www.nhtsa.gov/ , the squeaky wheel gets all the attention.

 

Well my leaf spring just broke in half. Called Toyota and they said there is a recall but nothing can be done right now. Got they same message as others. "Take it to a local dealer and I would get reimbursed" Just give me the money to take it in now. FUCK!

 

I just got the recall letter today. They said it's urgent! Ha!