Tacoma Spring refurbishing

No problem Dave....

I'm thinking about starting a thread in the 2nd gen section in regards to under torqued U bolts tho', I still can't believe they roll off the assembly line that loose, but they do !!

Exactly

 

I just sent you a PM Spring Master Doug. I think I'm about to add my name to your list of awesomeness.

 

Niiiice !! I recieved your PM & responded in kind, hope some of it makes sense

 

Thank You Sir

 

At the yard now. Hoping this is what I want

 

Never mind too wide. Still hunting

 

Back home in defeat. Looked through about 30 trucks, everything is 2.5 - 3" wide. Toyota made these 2 3/8" just to piss me off, I swear.

 

Mike, if you just cleaned the rust & scale off of them with a wire wheel on a drill I bet they'd fit, those springs had a nice ARC (almost look like after market springs, check bushing) Trust me 2.5" isn't a deal breaker, break down & clean/inspect donor leafs like you would anyway, measure/cut/ place donor springs where you planned, center pin ,tighten & set into place on axle perch, now loop your U bolts over the pack rest them on bump stop, get a sharpie & mark where they line up. Now take your angle grinder & make a couple passes over the marks, beveling them slightly on each side of spring, you have now given them a saddle to rest in.... Re assemble ....

 

Another guy I talked to about this said that he lined up the ubolts then pounded them down with a hammer without much effort. I haven't tried any of this myself....yet.

 

A little tapping is ok, I've done it about everytime I do this, as long as there not bowed out or the spread is so severe the U bolts won't seat (even stock they have a tendency to ride up a little)

 

After you guys do your springs dont forget to make some cheesy spring clamps too....

(actually they work pretty good )...

 

clamps on the cheap that work.....



http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/suspension/220579-1-hour-spring-clamps.html

 

Are you just putting bolts through them like a shackle around the springs?

 

Yup , high & low around the pack, so far they've held up great from what I'm told by the mobbers.....

 

If your able, can you post a picture of one of your completed springs.

 

Thanks for the response doug - Ill go try nabbing them tomorrow then. The u bolts might suck to get off, I don't have a socket that big (over 3/4"). Going to try with my big monkey wrenches or it's time for a harbor freight run (oh darn, right? )

 

Sure, you want a 4,5,6, or 7 pack ??


I'll throw a few up...

 

Yeah it sucks to buy tools ....


I was going to ask if you could find some with a little more rust till I saw where your at....


The best tool going out there for retrieving springs is a cordless angle grinder with a few batteries & blades & a cordless sawzall with good blades...

 

Here's a 7 pack monster , although not trimmed up yet , the config. is there, just waiting for Toyota to make something worthy of them....

 

Just bought a jack to do mine with