Squeaky Leaf Springs - Lift fail?

Hey everyone
My Taco lift and new kicks looks awesome but it has taken on a very annoying feature. I went 3" with 'Add-a-leaf' kit which added about 1.5" and then a 1.5"spacer on the axle. Also included the diff drop kit. However, over time, the rear springs have taken on what sounds like stress squeaking. Shortly after the lift was completed, it started. I sprayed some penetrating metal lube in between the leafs and that seemed to help....for awhile...so the noise returns and I rinse, lather repeat with the lube, but now it's not having any effect. Has anyone else experience issues with squeaky lifts, particularly in retaining the factory springs and if so, how to resolve. I'm taking it back to the off-road shop that did the work this week and want to be informed on my options.

 

That sounds like most lifts ever. Some with the anti-squeak pads last longer. Hell, my stock leafs squeak. Putting wet lube/grease in there will probably attract sand and grit. Graphite maybe? I just learned to deal with it long ago.

 

My tundra squeaked with stock leafs, my 3rd gen taco with AAL squeaks even worse. Laugh about it or be angry, they're gonna squeak maniacally either way.

 

What kind of squeak is it and did you lower your spare tire at all when installing rear suspension?

 

I applied a thin coating of Energy Suspension grease to each leaf when I installed my Wheelers 3 leaf aals. Rear suspension is very quiet and be sure to retorque the ubolts

$11 Energy Suspension 9.11104 Formula 5 Prelube Grease - 8 oz., silver

https://www.amazon.com/Energy-Suspe...teway&sprefix=Energy+suspension+grease&sr=8-1

 

I thought I had a leaf spring squeak but it did turn out to be the spare not being tight enough after I installed the spare tire lock. It's like the spare settled over time and it started to squeak because it didn't do it right away. "The more you know...."

 

Leaf springs squeak, it's just the nature of them. The more leafs you have/add, the more likely they'll squeak. Especially if you drive a lot or doing any offroad driving.

If it's the bushings that are squeaking that's something different that can be addressed

 

Yup mine too when I installed my leaf packs. Was just gunna let it squeak because it wasn't that bad but ended up going under the truck and figuring out it was the spare tire wheel rubbing on the frame. Or something.

 

When I installed my rear lift springs I took apart all my leafs and layered them with wide 3M tape and leaf liners. You want to cover the isolation pads too. I noticed that these tend to squeak also. My leafs have been squeak free for 8 months. I been on 4 off road trips including a bunch of water crossings. I suggest you do the same.

Take the extra steps before installation and it will reward you.

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Leaf-Spring-Liner-with-Lip-2-1-4-Inch,39823.html

 

Buy a can of Fluid Film and call it good. Mine has been squeak free for the past 10k miles. After lots of dirt and water, it’s stayed completely squeak free.

 

The diff drop is unnecessary on the 3rd gen

 

My stock OR squeaks like crazy. I think your options are turn up the radio or wear ear plugs.

 

See my post on fluid film. Willing to guarantee it’ll work. Multiple members have had success with it as well! Worth a try and costs maybe $10 a can.

 

Single AAL? That's 'a lot' of arch your trying to force into the leaf pack.

 

I soaked every centimeter of my springs with Fluid Film and it was squeaky as soon as I pulled out of the driveway. Guess I did it wrong.

 

Welcome to lifted truck ownership. You will never, ever, EVER find a permanent fix for squeaky springs. Consider yourself lucky if you find something that works for more than a week.


Most, including myself just deal with it after trying just about every suggested fix under the sun.

 

I cleaned my contact pads with simple green, sprayed in the contact areas and bushings, and mine has been gone ever since. 10k miles of no squeaking. It’s a simple and cheap potential fix for many.

 

Yeah I think I just did not clean the problem areas well enough. I probably just layered the dirt and grim.

 

My Stock OR squeaks like a old rust bucket whenever I go offroad. My solution has been to use my pressure washer and spray out the leaf pack. Then I am good until my next adventure. For me it is just dirt and grime that gets between the leafs.