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Is this normal for Alcan leaf springs?

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Tbrooks2444, Feb 29, 2020.

  1. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:25 PM
    #1
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Front of the leaf springs are flat/have negative arch. I have some custom alcan springs for 500lb weight capacity over stock. I only have a camper shell and a full size spare on the back. Is this normal?

    4842C396-81AE-4AEB-A04B-6B9CFAA2DD08.jpg
    7DD3BF6F-D662-4476-86EE-4C8DF6100978.jpg
    44331E23-DDA4-4773-9315-30E0183EFE8E.jpg
     
  2. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:28 PM
    #2
    Tacomike18

    Tacomike18 Well-Known Member

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    Mine arch upwards too and I’m 100% stock suspension.
     
  3. Feb 29, 2020 at 4:43 PM
    #3
    JoeCOVA

    JoeCOVA Well-Known Member

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    May need to be rearched
     
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  4. Feb 29, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #4
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Bummer. I paid good money for them and I’ve had them on the truck with much less than the capable weight for less than 3500 miles. The rear of the springs are arched and look fine. Truck rides well and I haven’t had any weird feeling about them. I just looked at them after loading the bed up with some gear out of the garage and realized they had that curve to them. I’m contacting alcan to see what they say.
     
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  5. Feb 29, 2020 at 5:38 PM
    #5
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Anybody have any experience with Alcan springs that can chime in?
     
  6. Feb 29, 2020 at 5:42 PM
    #6
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    Looks like maybe the pinion rotated up; pinion is in-line with the driveshaft. Hard to tell.
     
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  7. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:14 PM
    #7
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    In that second pic, should that carrier bearing rubber be oily like that? The angle at the pinion flange is straight an an arrow.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
  8. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:16 PM
    #8
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    So to answer the question, yes it looks like it is in line with the drive shaft. Should it be more flat to the ground (horizontal)?
     
  9. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:19 PM
    #9
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    It looks like the top pic in this image that I pulled from a post made by jberry813

    2C37BE74-76FF-4341-A341-80FD51994931.jpg
     
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  10. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:23 PM
    #10
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    You're going to have to measure the angles to get an accurate account of how the parts are in relation to one another. It's not something you eyeball.

    There's 4 different ways to balance the angles on a 2-piece shaft; the pic you posted is a 1-piece shaft...

    Your angles are probably closest to Method 3 in the link.

    http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/Driveline-101.shtml#2-Piece
     
  11. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:32 PM
    #11
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Correct. Should the rear axle be angled up toward the drive shaft though? Looking at it from the side, it’s probably rotated clockwise(toward the rear of the truck). Should it be level with the ground?
     
  12. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:38 PM
    #12
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    No; closer to horizontal.
    I think it's typically a 2-3 working angle.

    How's the fit on the centering pin in the leaf perch?

    It's like it's in a constant state of axle wrap.
     
  13. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:45 PM
    #13
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    That’s exactly what it looks like now that I’m actually looking at it. Sh*t. I’m not to familiar with this issue. What should I be concerned with here?
     
  14. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:47 PM
    #14
    ToolPac

    ToolPac Well-Known Member

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    I'm guessing whoever installed them tightened the u-bolts while the tires were off the ground. You need to loosen them and re-torque them with the weight of the truck on the spring.
     
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  15. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:50 PM
    #15
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Well that doesn’t make sense. Seems like it would be hard to torque them down while it’s in the air.
     
  16. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:51 PM
    #16
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I can see how that could cause this though
     
  17. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:52 PM
    #17
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I’ll just loosen them up and see if everything starts shifting
     
  18. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:56 PM
    #18
    splitbolt

    splitbolt Voodoo Witch Doctor

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    I feel dumb asking...
    Are they on backwards?
     
  19. Feb 29, 2020 at 6:57 PM
    #19
    ToolPac

    ToolPac Well-Known Member

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    Not hard at all. They probably used an impact. I'd take it back to whoever put them on and have them fix it. That's some rookie shit.
     
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  20. Feb 29, 2020 at 7:01 PM
    #20
    Tbrooks2444

    Tbrooks2444 [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Military wrap end forward. Looks right to me.

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
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