Leaf spring cracks, how unsafe?

check out the Icon RXT leaf pack

 

Not only is that leaf spring broken, it's been broken for a while, giving the amount of rust present where the break is located. Look at the way the spring is curled up right at the breaking point. Someone overloaded the hell out of those springs and broke one. Don't drive that truck anymore.

 

thanks for all the input guys. very helpful that the clear consensus is to stop, drop, and replace those leaf springs..yesterday.

okay so now i need to get together a replacement strategy ASAP.. any recommendations of DC area shops? have heard lots of recs for @DOUBLLD in Sterling, VA but uncertain if he’s still doing work. any other body shops in the area that anyone has used would be recommended.

thoughts on a recommended setup? want minimal lift. will be loaded for trips (~300lbs) but daily only some tools and a hard tonneau in the back (~100lbs)

leaf springs packs:

OME packs? (is dakar for having a constant load in the bed? cuz i prob only have ~100lbs in there on avg, max 300lbs, no towing)

Does anyone have experience with these GeneralSprings? these look like pretty close to oem replacements that dont cost $750(thats what the toyota dealership said it would cost for the oem leaf spring assembly)
https://www.generalspringkc.com/200...ner-heavy-duty-rear-leaf-spring-4-3-1-leaves/

sounds like if I replace springs in rear i should at least replace front struts. am thinking of 5100s all around (or maybe juat front)…overkill?

 

Dakar’s are noisy and eventually sag, my next set will be Deavers.

 

For your defined use, you might look for a fresh set of 3rd gen take offs.

 

If the shocks are original on a 6 year old truck replace all of them , front and rear. Since the truck is not lifted replace them with Bilstein 4600 heavy duty. They are made to replace the originals but are far better shocks than the originals. They are the same as 5100’s but for non lifted trucks and a little less $$.

 

Don't bother with the dealer, somewhere in your area there has to be a truck spring shop. It won't be a chain (Monroe, etc.) and they won't do mufflers and brakes -- just springs. Call a local towing company and ask who does their spring work.

This is their bread and butter, they can probably have you back on the road and safe in a few hours for a fair price.

 

how do these compare to OME EL111R? they seem more expensive. are these heavy duty vs medium duty?

 

whoa. thats a quality tip! am gonna give the local guys a call tomorrow, apparently they are ~10min away. really hope they have enough on hand

 

if i end up getting replacement leaf springs that lift the rear by a couple inches (idk that ive been able to find leaf springs without some lift), should i then get 5100s or you think the 4600s will still be good to go? also whats this i hear about a taco lean..?

im as new as it gets to owning a taco, if you cant tell. so thank you so much for answering lots of annoying questions.

 

A spring shop will have a catalog showing the original spring rate and any optional spring rates available. This is what these guys do every day, they should be able to fix you right up.

 

Check out these guys
ATS Springs - Suspension Parts Supplier
(215) 799-0900
https://maps.app.goo.gl/GRxmYxppKg8HqsnRA

 

Taco lean is where the truck leans left a slight because of the gas tank and the driver. It's the way they all are.

 

thanks for all the help with this problem. hopefully ill get sorted out by the spring shop tomorrow and then ill slowly try to work on a suspension overhaul. im thinking if they busted up this leaf that some new struts will be a good idea sooner than later

 

Shocks.

Tacomas dont have struts. Regardless of the words vendors and the internet may use.

 

The front suspension is struts/coils and the rear shocks/leafs.

 

Ask the shop that does the leafs. Don’t know until you know for sure what leaf’s you’re you are going to get.

 

Incorrect

A strut suspension is when there is no upper control arm and the shock body bolts directly to the top of the knuckle. There will be an upper strut mount that has to rotate on a bearing while steering. There will only be one control arm - at the bottom. Subaru is a good example

Tacoma is a SLA (short/long arm) suspension. The knuckle is held in place by 2 arms, the shock is not involved in steering left/right

 

The front is IFS double wishbone coil-over-shock.