Safety Recall E02, 2005 - 2011 leaf springs

Toyota works in strange and mysterious ways.

 

Got my leafs installed today.

What a difference!! Rear is much more solid and so far the "push" is gone when I brake. I'm guessing it will return when they loosen but right now I'm extremely pleased with the recall.

 

My recall leaf springs were ordered on Sept 6th and I just got a call that they came in today but they can't get me in for another 3 1/2 weeks. About a month and half isn't too bad to wait for some free leaf springs, granted one of my leafs broke in half.

 

I took it to get it aligned myself. Not worth the time and effort and I don't have the patience to force people to do the job they're being paid to do. This was Toyota of Fort Worth BTW if anyone else in the future needs to get work there.
The rear end is fixed according to my alignment guy, but it was the way the service person at the dealer flatly denied that checking alignment was part of the recall plus they couldn't explain to me why that shattered the little trust I had in them in the first place.
I plan on putting on new suspension on the truck later this year, so no point in fighting for something that was going to be temporary anyway. Still pisses me off, since I hate dealing with poor customer service specially when something is in writing and should be clear cut.

 

I had an appointment to get my springs replaced about 3 weeks ago, but couldn't make it due to work. I took my wifes truck on an out of state trip for 2 weeks and when i came back one of my springs were broken. Luckily they already had my parts in stock and were able to get mine replaced really quickly. These new springs are about as flat as my old ones though.

Anybody added AALs to the new springs? Trying to decide between wheelers single or 3 leaf AAL. Bilsteins are set at 1.75.

 

i just added HS 3 leaf AAL to the recall springs. No modifications needed on the recall springs with the HS progressive AAL.

 

whats the easiest way to find out if mine falls under the recall and/or if its been done or not? its a 2011 bought it this year.

 

www.toyota.com/recall

 

I got my notice to go in and get the replacements. I plan on getting Dakars but I think I may get the new leafs just so Toyota can break free any frozen bolts under there so I dont have to struggle with them.

 

I have an appointment to go get this done next wednesday. I have a 6'' procomp lift with Light racing UCAs, The factory rear leafs are still in place... My truck drives fine but im sure the alignment isn't dialed in...

Should I be getting an alignment as part of the recall?

 

yes alignment is the last step of the procedure... read here http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/acms/cs/jaxrs/download/doc/UCM517737/RCRIT-14V604-9602.pdf


i was told today that toyota will not allow them to reinstall my lift blocks? anyone else have the same problem?

 

Correct. They are to install only OEM parts. I've seen a few rare instances where the shop has put a lift block back in for a customer.

 

got it, the tech was nice and said he'd just leave the parts in the bed and i could put it back on myself

 

It's so the leafs can wiggle around during the axlewrap and eventually break. Another one of those "supposed to do that" moments brought to you by all the Toyota dealer service depts. of America.

 

checks!

how important is an alignment after installing blocks? i never did one on my 4runner and it drove fine?

 

They tried to sell me an alignment after the springs were replaced even after I asked them three times about it.

Opened a case with Toyota corporate and magically got a call back from the dealer next day. Scott Clark Toyota in Charlotte.

 

Makes you wonder eh? I even E-mailed Toyota about it and they responded with something like "Thanks for the E-mail" I took mine to 80 lbs after a couple months of the new springs, and it feels mo better. When I checked them I was a bit shocked at how easy they were to turn. I wonder how much axle wrap, broken springs, sloppy shifting and other issues can be attributed to weak ass torque on the u-bolts right from the factory? All 2016 owners may want to check their U-bolts. I believe that's already been discussed on their threads. 37 lbs is obviously wrong, but what's worse is Toyota not correcting the typo for years.

 

It's a shame some folks have to play hardball for something they are supposed to do in the first place. I did the same thing with my dealer when they were jacking me around on when the springs would get there. Getting hold of Corporate and naming names at the dealership, my springs suddenly appeared in two days. install with six clip leafs, alignment, and a thank you sir.

 

Lol so I am going to be driving back from the dealership with a 6'' lift in the front and stock height in the rear? Im running 285s hopefully rubbing wont be an issue...What about the rear shocks those are aftermarket they would have to put those back on right? I also have a diff drop, seems like if they set the rear back to stock the driveshaft will be pretty wonky, hopefully close enough to make it home and re-install blocks?

 

pretty much so. you're going to roll around with the lean until you get back home and reinstall your blocks. As for the shocks, they'll be reinstalling them as the main concern for them are the leaf springs.