Squeaky Dakars : Any advice from others with the Dakars ?

Mine are squeaking really bad. Need to diagnose, need time and another adult body...

 

My Dakars squeak, but, what I hear more than Dakar squeak, is what must be Polyurethane bushing squeak. curiously this continuous squeak actually sounds like a bolt that has two washers dinging together because the nut is not tightened...

 

Not 100% sure, but it feels like my Dakar squeak is coming from the plastic clip -liners on the spring clamps. I sprayed them with PTFE spray lube, but it did not silence them. Maybe made them squeak louder. I give up for now, gonna go wheel and camp, will try again next week.

 

My Similar Fix
Was gonna throw these up when I installed them,
but figured I'd wait to see if they lasted.
Then I forgot about it.
Been 8 months now, holding up fine, and no squeaks.
Pics of install and pics 7 months out.
Easy Install. Don't use white ones, they'll get brittle & break.










Seven Months Out








CC

 

So I'm back to post a WARNING.
For those unaware: CABLE TIES CAN BE VICIOUS
After posting some of the above pictures in another "Squeaky" Thread (Link),
it was pointed out that I should never cut off Cable Ties, as it leaves a dangerous sharp edge.

Being well aware of this, I posted the following as information, there and here.

The CORRECT METHOD: Twist and Spin off the excess with the flat end of a pair of pliers.
The CORRECT RESULT, as in the pic below, taken around the same time,
is that the Twisted Cable Tie, stretches and curls, leaving only smooth plastic.
A bonus to this method is, that it may even tighten the Tie a notch or two.

The Cable Ties on the Leaf Springs, above, were installed on a cold, wet day.
I couldn't get my pliers in, as I recall, without dropping the spare,
and negotiating the shackle to get to a couple of 'em.
Otherwise, they would have been twisted off.
All cuts are pointed in towards the spare, in a tight area, I'm well aware of them, and they've been on the list.
Sorry, I never gave it a thought, and would not want someone injured, and a result of my assuming everyone is aware.





CC

 

^Awesome post.

 

I try.
Gotta love wordy posts



CC

 

LOL. Holy vaginitis. I suppose the individual who advised you of this has never worked around stainless steel lock wire and gotten a piece of that jammed under his fingernail...

So what is the procedure in a cramped situation that precludes playing ring-around-the-rosie with pliers?

 

Lucky you weren't killed

 

Oooouch!. Wish ya hadn't pasted that image in my mind.
The advise was well intentioned, and I made a point of thanking him, tho I knew it.
Then posted the twist method.

Should be room, once the spare is dropped.
The shackle will require just angling the pliers.
Ya don't have to be straight on, tho it does a better job.
You can always twist 'em off while they're pointing down,
and bang them around the leaf with a screwdriver and hammer, they'll move.
The ones I used are thick and heavy.


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...to death.

 

Mine just started squeaking, really badly too, only had them on for about 3 weeks now, they squeak even when I simply shut the door to my taco no overload removed or anything like that, its kinda annoying on road, but in a weird way I really like that squeaky noise off road

 

Check this thread out , it might help

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/squeaky-dakars-any-advice-from-others-with-the-dakars.156353/

 

If cutting yourself on a zip tie is a big safety concern, you should probably just stay on the couch.

 

Profound. I would agree, if it's a concern. But if one is unaware, then it's not a concern. Hence the warning.



CC

 

Haha. Yes. that's extremely odd, that you'd be reading that.
But I 'spose if ya can't figure them out, the instructions would help.


CC

 

jk, didn't expect an explaination


CC

 

Anyone know if removing the 3rd leaf helps with the sqeaking? How much height is lost?

 

about 5/8" and most likely not