Toyota Tacoma Squeak Solution

So by now we have all heard about someone who complains about their 3rd gen Tacoma squeaking and driving them nuts. I finally got so fed up with it and Toyota corporate calling it "a feature and not a defect" that I decided to go to my local Halloween store and bought a mechanic costume so I could play dress up and be a Qualified Toyota technician.

If I didn't like the people at my local Toyota dealership so much, I would have been tempted to go park next to all of the new Tacomas and demonstrate this "Feature" that Toyota has so generously built free of charge into many of the new Tacomas.

So back to the topic at hand. The following steps seem to have solved my squeak problems and mine was even worse than the one shown in the video below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoFRTmqjSV0

So the things you will need are:
-Loctite White Lithium Multipurpose grease (Aerosolized)
-White Lithium Grease Tube (This should be thick like toothpaste)
-Simple Green (Or similar de-greaser)
-Floor jack or lift or whatever
-Some sockets and wrenches (metric)
-Pressure Washer
-Piece of cardboard or Popsicle stick or something similar

Steps:

(1) Clean out the leafs as good as possible. I sprayed some simple green everywhere on the leaf springs (and in-between) as well as on the bushings where they attach.

(2) Lift the rear of the truck slightly and continue cleaning out the leaf springs and suspension bushings. Ensure you get in-between the busing shown below and the leaf's

(3) I removed the bushings holding my rear shocks and cleaned them with simple green and a pressure washer as well. you can adjust and create gaps between these bushings by lifting and lowering the truck on the jack to access the upper and lower bushings.

(4) Once you have removed and cleaned these areas as good as possible, it is time to lube them up

(5) Grease the silencer pads (All of them), the shock bushings and the area of the shock shaft that penetrates the frame hole with the heavy duty tube grease.

(6) Use a flat piece of cardboard or similar to shove some grease along the top part of the leaf into the bushing with the car still lifted. (Keeping the car lifted at this point will open a gap in this area so you can get the grease deeper in there). Once applied and the car is lowered, clean up any excess with a rag.

(7) Spray the aerosol grease into the (leaf) bushings as shown.

I would recommend driving it for a few days before washing it so you can ensure that grease penetrates everywhere it needs to be. Washing shouldn't hurt it after as I have done it a few times in the last few weeks and still squeak free.


Hope this helps! And Toyota if you are looking to hire a new Technical Support Senior Adviser, please let me know I will accept the job for around $250,000/yr + benefits and a Supra.
Ohh, also I want one or two of those Toyota Models that go to the car shows in tight Toyota clothing please. (See picture for reference)

 

I just came here for pic of the Halloween costume

 

The Halloween shop only had a Toyota mechanic costume in a kids size and I didn't want to get kicked off the forum yet for posting inappropriate dress up photos. Guess you will just have to get a mirror try this repair for yourself!

 

Thanks posting with pics!

 

Let me know how it works out for you! It so far has been awesome for me. I also am open to suggestions!

 

Good work!

 

daily WINNER of best use of sarcasm in a thread. you get the biscuit. I'm just hoping i don't get the squeak. nice write up!

 

It does not seem to start happening until you get into the high mile range. (Typically around 1200+ miles before the squeaks start) I wouldn't worry too much about it until you drive it for a few months!

 

I'm at 15k!

 

Ah yes, the age old squeaky leafs question.

Usually it's the shackle bushings. Something with PTFE works well. Good luck... it's always been a problem. Grease seems like a good idea, but attracts dirt faster so it just makes it worse. Every couple of years i try something new. The PTFE has been good so far (like superlube or "Formula 5 pre lube".. NOT cheap but a little goes a looooong way)

 

Usually starts squeeking after going off-road.

Mine started just last month. It goes away whenever I pressure wash the leaf springs, but comes back after a day or two.

Ill try your methods and hope it works out!

 

Mine started at around 17-18k. You have to get it ever so slightly muddy or dusty.

Good luck!

 

I tried this and it worked for about a day. The small can of Polytetrafluoroethylene I bought was really expensive and I couldn't justify it for one day worth of use. This may need to be done annually but should take care of it

 

Yeah I made this mistake and the squeaking started. I accidentally drove over a piece of dust that some irresponsible asshole left outside on the road. Never been the same till now

 

Subd, will have to try this.

Mine started after 1200kms

Thanks for the post!

 

They just released a TSB for it. I wouldn't screw with it until I give them a shot at fixing it

 

Update: squeaking again after heavy TX rain..

Toyota has a fix supposedly. New bushing and silencer pad kit. Going in next week for the fix will keep you all updated!

 

Well that's good to hear. Will have to go bug my friends at Toyota after the weekend

 

Any updates??

 

Wednesday they are supposed to have the parts in stock!