Leaf spring cracks, how unsafe?

hey guys, im very new to owning my used Tacoma 2015 OR DCSB and dont think i get the leaf spring TSB (already have 3+1). There is a crack on the Rear LH (drivers side) top leaf spring. so 3 out of 4 leaves are fine but the top one is cracked. I would love to somehow just replace the top leaf but am under the impression that is not an option and I may just take this opportunity to just overhaul my suspension in general. Ive attached a pic of the cracked leaf. I also think the last owner used the truck to tow regularly, as they had a tow pkg on the truck. wondering if maybe that contributed to the crack, and if the whole system could use a refresh.


-80-90% of my driving is On Road.

-300 lbs max of firewood/camping gear (have a hard tonneau cover).

-No plans to tow anything.

-Not necessarily interested in a lift over 1” since I do not plan on getting larger tires, currently (265/70R16).

-Would like to be as close to stock as possible, ideally Front/Rear level but if the Rear should be higher to compensate for settling/load a little rear lift is fine.


If i am too do a suspension overhaul, was hoping for some recommendations/a direction for me to take. I am currently considering 4x Bilstein 5100s (all lowest setting) and 1/4” spacer for LH Front to compensate for taco lean. As for leaf springs ive been bouncing around between OME Dakar and GS oem replacement. Unsure what to get here as the Dakars seem to be for people with a constant 300lb load, and ill typically only have the tonneau and some tools in the back.

so here’s the the pic of the cracked leaf. how unsafe is this?

 

I'd replace those leafs asap

 

If the truck has not had the recall springs done you should qualify; mine did

 

My original springs were fine.I had them replaced under the recall.The driver's side new spring cracked at the mounting point.I had to buy a new pair on my own.I believe that the installer at toyota messed it up but it was a losing battle .I bought the OME from Headstrong Off road .

 

By the time the 2015s were being built didn't they all get the better springs? Pretty sure mine had 4 leafs each.

 

Perfect time to get OME dakars.

 

Supposed to...

 

Replace, vehicle is unsafe. You could disassemble the leaf pack, and replace the broken leaf with another that is used. Overall safest bet is to replace full leaf pack with new, versus just replacing one leaf with new, as the leaves do take a set, and curvature change with time. Adding a new top leaf with used leaves 2, 3,4 is not recommended.

 

Replace, you don't want your rear axle to peace out from under the truck.

 

Still throw away/ disposable. After the song’n dance I got from Toyota, I wouldn’t want ‘em for free. One of the few places Toyota dropped the ball.

 

Gas tank be like

 

I jumped on the Dakar bandwagon pretty quick after getting the truck.

They've been fine except for the damn squeaking when cold and dry

 

Yea avoid driving till fixed. Plenty of trucks I’ve seen with a break like that ending up with massive damage to the fuel tanks

 

If that lets go you're in for a bad day. Where you located? Someone near you probably has a set you can get cheap or free.


For you and us please don't drive until it's fixed.

 

You realize that the leaf that is picutred that is broken is THE ONLY leaf that actually mechanically attaches the rear axle to the truck. That is the main leaf that makes up the front eye where the bolt goes through.

 

The reason for the leaf recall is that the leafs can crack, break and rupture the gas tank. Even if there is no recall for your year truck you need to get them replaced. You are closer to that happening than not. Even if they don’t rupture the gas tank, leaf spring failure can cause a deadly accident. I personally wouldn’t drive that truck like that. Get ‘em replaced asap, like tomorrow.

 

I would stop driving that immediately.

 

It's not cracked it's broken.

 

I had a cracked leaf sticking out about 3” from my tire in my ‘07…


Listen to what everyone’s saying - don’t drive it. Have the dealer flatbed it for repair.