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DIY: squeaky leaf fix

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by beachbumberry, Jun 15, 2010.

  1. Jun 15, 2010 at 9:18 PM
    #1
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    fl now, tx native
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    leveling kit, american racing rims, push bar, nerf bars
    ok, so after seeing all the issues everyone has had with this, and only seeing people say what to do to fix it (grease, new leaf pack, dealership, innertube) i decided to do a DIY of it. NOTE: I AM NOT RESPOSIBLE FOR ANYTHING YOU DO TO YOUR TRUCK with that said, here ya go!

    things you'll need:
    bicycle tire tube- $2.65 at wally world
    (optional) glue-$4.95 for gorilla glue
    jack-should be in your truck
    prybar and wedge
    scissors/knife/cutting utensil

    Step 1: jack the truck up. the best way IMO is to lift it by the hitch reciever if you have one to lift it evenly on each side. lift it just enough to releave pressure on the leafs (so just before the tires are off the ground). i suggest chocking the front wheels and setting jack stands under the frame just forward of the front spring mount, in case it falls.

    IMG_1149_d5db2e2609bc5f72d187f3e844a80595f2608df5.jpg

    Step 2: spread the leafs apart. the best way i've found is to put a crow bar at the front just ahead of the c-clip looking thing that is mounted on the bottom leaf and pull down. while you are pulling down, put something metal in between the leaves to keep them seperated. i used a small chizel.

    IMG_1150_b0a74a7eefa1b560ce6afd0cfb0e71af496fe98b.jpg

    IMG_1151_42b38b21fe56d12227980284a6a1f9ce7083d063.jpg

    the gray stuff on the spring is anti-sieze i had put between the leaves before. it makes the squeek go away, but it isn't permanent, and ends up leaving a big mess. i suggest only going this route if you are ok with redoing it once a month.

    Step 3: now time to clean. if you havn't greased/anti-siezed your spring before, this should be relatively quick and easy. i used a can of brake parts cleaner and a rag. spray between the 2 leaves and shove the rag between them and pull it in and out to clean it. you will probably have to spray this out several times until it is dry and clean so you can get proper adheasion.

    IMG_1152_b1a86e649eb89b1a9a754be7f6d51f64342335b8.jpg
    in this picture you can actually see what is left of the OEM rubber friction pad. garbage.

    before
    IMG_1153_d3c568f36af13b9f9898450c521dae6674664600.jpg

    after
    IMG_1157_40227e683ef9a036e9687e6f523f4cfe6f1b4e44.jpg

    Step 4: now it's time to cut the tube to fit. i made mine long, because i didn't want to have to worry about missing any point that a squeak may develop.

    IMG_1158_3107337d3fa943c0c7f699dadf0693b8fcc6b3df.jpg

    IMG_1159_06cec215e12123e5fa436aff9b5a5642d1f0aeb2.jpg

    Step 5: put whatever type of glue you wish to use, if you feel the need to. i did this first without any sort of glue and drove it down the interstate, on a rough road quickly, and then down the beach with no problems, but i feel for the sake of longevity i decided to use gorilla glue on one side to fix it to the bottom leaf. the person i origional saw this idea from used super glue and claimed that it has worked flawlessly for 8 months.

    Step 6: slide the tube inbetween the leaves and flatten it out, making sure there are no folds.

    IMG_1160_c7b021f6af5ac890b224476b0c3a5bfd723fc76a.jpg

    Step 7: using the crowbar, spread the leaves back apart and remove whatever you used to seperate them. lower the truck and the leaves will close back together.

    IMG_1161_26241542a53446e3be9d64c87e89270b453b8542.jpg



    hope this helps everyone!
     
    Danner488, z00mer, brofog and 13 others like this.
  2. Jun 15, 2010 at 9:31 PM
    #2
    snowgod06

    snowgod06 UG legend wannabe

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    crap bolted and welded together....
    I request this to go in the DIY section or a sticky!!!!!! :D:D:D:D:D
     
    MuleDeerSlayer likes this.
  3. Jun 15, 2010 at 9:44 PM
    #3
    Viet2100

    Viet2100 Well-Known Member

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    Am I wrong or did Toyota also put some lithium grease on your leaf packs, too?
     
  4. Jun 15, 2010 at 9:45 PM
    #4
    snowgod06

    snowgod06 UG legend wannabe

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    crap bolted and welded together....
    he put anti seize on to help stop the squeaks.
     
  5. Jun 15, 2010 at 9:50 PM
    #5
    dgalleon

    dgalleon Well-Known Member

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    hmm... i might try this
     
  6. Jun 15, 2010 at 10:02 PM
    #6
    07tacoark

    07tacoark Still kickin like a chicken!

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    Lots on 07 ... getting started on 19
    has anyone tried this after the harsh ride TSB? from the looks of it those springs arent after the TSB
     
  7. Jun 15, 2010 at 10:05 PM
    #7
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i don't believe they are. i bought the truck about 6 months ago and the squeak developed shortly after. truck doesn't have a harsh ride though
     
    thenewguy6 likes this.
  8. Jun 15, 2010 at 10:26 PM
    #8
    07tacoark

    07tacoark Still kickin like a chicken!

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    Lots on 07 ... getting started on 19
    hmm... id be anxious to see if this would work on the leafs that have had the TSB done. mine squeak like crazy now :rolleyes:
     
  9. Jun 16, 2010 at 6:35 AM
    #9
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    leveling kit, american racing rims, push bar, nerf bars
    looks like that TSB worked :rolleyes: according to champion toyota in corpus christi, the TSB is more or less a kit that does essentially what i did. it puts a rubber strip between the 2, but i hear the kit's strip is short and misses the point on the spring that develops a squeak
     
  10. Jun 16, 2010 at 7:37 AM
    #10
    07tacoark

    07tacoark Still kickin like a chicken!

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    Lots on 07 ... getting started on 19
    no, the TSB fixes the harsh ride, which adds a leaf to help keep the bed from hittin the bump stops. ive had mine done back when i still had warranty bout 40k ago & it squeaks with the slightest dam bump at all... gets on my nerves. im gonna go deaf bc i keep the bass bumpin to cover all the noises i hear. i can hear a dam knat on the wall... got that crap from my dad so i get irritated by any little noise at all :mad:

    i will try somethin like this when i get a chance to just to see how it works for us that have done the harsh ride TSB & see if it helps. so thanks for doin this mod OP :thumbsup:
     
    Chungaz likes this.
  11. Jun 16, 2010 at 8:16 AM
    #11
    Kelson

    Kelson Well-Known Member

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    ^if it doesn't work with the tsb u can always grease the leaf springs. good quality synthetic grease will last a while. if you want to go all out take apart the entire leaf pack and spray rubberized undercoating....
     
  12. Jun 16, 2010 at 10:24 AM
    #12
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    so it adds a leaf bringing the total to 4? mine has 2 main leafs the one short leaf below them
     
  13. Jun 16, 2010 at 10:26 AM
    #13
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    that is a PITA haha. firsdt time i greased them i thought it was the front bushing and took the entire rear end apart. took longer to put back together just because it was a pain to line it all back up
     
  14. Jun 16, 2010 at 4:57 PM
    #14
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    leveling kit, american racing rims, push bar, nerf bars
    can this please be stickied, i just saw another new post asking about the squeaky spring.
     
  15. Jun 16, 2010 at 6:18 PM
    #15
    Jason'sLawnCare

    Jason'sLawnCare Prepared for Bambi

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    Nice write up. Rep for you.
     
  16. Jun 16, 2010 at 6:59 PM
    #16
    PA452

    PA452 Well-Known Member

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    If I can find the time, I'm probably going to give this a shot. Thanks!
     
  17. Jun 19, 2010 at 10:16 AM
    #17
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    i did the same thing to the other side without any sort of glue and it seems to be holding up well. just had to make the strip long and pull it far back so there is no risk of it sliding out.
     
  18. Jun 19, 2010 at 10:21 AM
    #18
    Brunes

    Brunes abides.

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    Stuck and added to the Mod and Tutorials Menu!! Good idea and GREAT write up!!
     
  19. Jun 19, 2010 at 10:30 AM
    #19
    beachbumberry

    beachbumberry [OP] Well-Known Member

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    leveling kit, american racing rims, push bar, nerf bars
    thanks! i appreciate it!
     
  20. Jun 19, 2010 at 2:42 PM
    #20
    StandingCow

    StandingCow Well-Known Member

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    Nice, if I start squeeking, I am doing this! :)
     

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