Rear Leaf Spring TSB

I was denied at two dealerships and hit pay-dirt with the third. I'm taking my truck in Monday to has the Leaf Spring and Tranny TSB done. SWEET!

I shouldn't get so excited as the fat lady hasn't sung yet. LOL.

 

I went back to the dealership yesterday to pick up my tags, while I was there I questioned the TSB again. The service writer said that there were not any TSB's for my truck and I replied that there was, after looking in his system again he stated that there was but they had to order the parts. I agreed to return my truck on Tuesday to get the spring and Transmission TSB performed and that I needed a loaner for the time it is in service. To my surprise he told me that they had no loaners due to the gas pedal issue Toyota was having but they could offer me a ride with their shuttle service, so I asked "are you willing to drive me to work and pick me up which is 25 miles one way?" he said no, we cannot go that far. I then stated that they need to find me some type of transportation or reimburse me for a rental, I know have to wait for a response from the service manager.

 

If it was made in Mexico, it has beefier springs (I was told by mechanic)... only 3 leafs, but they are stiffer than the earlier Tacoma 3 leafs (I had an '05 that bottomed out with any load in back). This '10 does not bottom out under same conditoos (so far)... It has CHI painted on the springs... no numbers.

 

Dropped off the truck tonight for the Leaf Spring and Transmission TSB, they gave me a Camry as a loaner. Hope all is well when I pick it up tomorrow night.

 

You should be more worried about driving the Camry. LOL

 

The Camry has had the recall mod done already so I really am not worried about driving it. I was surprised though how responsive it is, seems to have alot more power than my Tacoma. I know there is a few hundred pounds different in weight comparison but this thing gets up and goes pretty quick.

 

Just had the leaf spring TSB with no regrets, asked to have the TSB done for the transmission while they had it. It turns out that they told me that my truck already had the latest software installed but they tried re-flashing anyway. Well now I have a vibration between 15 and 30 MPH which I predict could be due to the re-flash as I did not experience this before everything was done. Anybody have any input on this? I will be notifying the dealer again tomorrow to see what they have to say.

 

I had the leaf spring TSB done back in December, never had to call Toyota corporate. Took it to the dealer where I bought the truck last August after scheduling an appointment to leave it with them while I would be at work. My main reason for the appointment was the transmission TSB, but asked to "pursue" the leaf spring TSB when I dropped off the truck. They said they would check the eligibility, parts, etc., for the springs after doing the tranny flash. Then they called me a taxi to take me to work, no charge. When I showed up to pick up the truck that evening, they said the spring TSB was approved and the parts had been ordered and I would be called for another appointment when they arrived. Had the springs replaced 2 weeks later.

While waiting for the springs to arrive, Mrs. pokeng gave me the honey-do of building a flower bed out of concrete retaining wall block. Here's a pic (pre-TSB) after loading up the truck with 30 Pavestone Windsor Stone at Home Depot (22.40# ea. = 672 lbs.):



The bumpstops weren't quite hitting, but I guarantee they hit a few a times on the way home, especially on a railroad crossing near HD. Truck drove better than I expected, but still was very light on the front when steering.

The first 30 block wasn't even half the job, so I picked up another 30 of the same stones a week later (post-TSB):



The iPhone pics don't do it justice, but the rear end is sitting much lower before the TSB. Here's a close up of the stock springs under load:



The stock springs had a reverse camber. The TSB springs held a more positive camber. Here's a pic of the TSB springs:



The TSB springs gave me about 1" of lift. The ride is definitely stiffer. I debated doing it because I didn't want to give up the smooth ride. But, after bottoming out a few times going over railroad tracks a few times when empty, something had to be done. Unfortunately can't have both.