Were your 2016 OEM Leaf Springs Replaced/Repaired?

Guys, guys!! Springs, leaf springs are inherently noisy.
It doesn’t mean that it’s falling apart by far. But it is VERY fooking annoying!
But fortunately, it is one very easy to fix concern, especially for you guys that are into mods.
I’ve fixed hundreds of HD leaf spring noises and one of the most overlooked culprit items techs neglect to lube is the two anchor bolts, spring eyelid, chassy/frame mount that hold the spring at each end.
Most auto techs have no clue how to handle these as auto leaf springs got fazed out long ago.
You need an experience heavy duty truck tech to fix this very easy but annoying issue. Find one or suffer.
Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

I paid nealy 40k for a new Tacoma. Toyota needs to fix it. I agree it is not a functionality issue (yet) but it surely is a Quality issue. If they don't know how, they need to figure out how. Even the service manager agreed it is ridiculous that a brand new truck would sound like this. His exact words were "it sounds like an old rusted out Ford!"

 

IDK of any other light vehicle out there that mixes old school well proven tough components and the very latest in high tech technology except for heavy duty transport applications smitty.
I’m shocked that they're still able to repair your brake drums in an auto shop. Only HD trucks use them anymore and they can be noisy at times too.
But the leaf noise comes from in between the leaf springs because of the natural friction present there.
Some use teflon spacers in between the leafs, some only tar like paint in HD applications.
But I found that in addition to that, noise also comes from the anchor points (4) two on each end of top leaf.
Think of upper control arm bushing noise as reference. Installation is important and I’ll tell you how its done or how I did it because it may not be in a service manual procedure.
After loosening the spring anchor fasteners on each end and removing the bolts, I lube everything with white lithium grease, better known as brake grease.
This includes the bolt, the spring eye (where the bolt slides) and all in between eyelid and chassis contact areas.

And very important, more than lube…install and only snug the spring anchor bolts, drop vehicle on the ground and bounce it up and down to seat everything under its natural load.

Afterwards, while still on the ground or a load via lift or jack-stands, torque everything to specs. It’s all there is to it, just a little elbow grease so uncommon theses days.

You can ask the service advisor or tech to do this if they’re willing, because after all, you’re right after paying 40k!
Hope that helps
Cheers!

 

Toyota corporate has told the dealer there is no approval for any repair at this time. Supposedly there is a wide spread issue with this and they are working on a solution. Toyota specifically told the dealer NOT to grease them.

 

..."they are working on a solution"... Good luck with that with no grease lmaoo!

It's why I don't bother with them, sounds like you and others will be waiting a long time for relief.
Btw, I wouldn't hold my breath either :/
Best of luck!
Cheers!

 

. Field service tech flew out from Denver to inspect my springs. He looked at it today. Called to get update from service manager. He told me they opened up the leafs installed some special lubricated friction pads in between the leafs and put back on truck. He said leafs were never properly lubed from factory from what he could tell. The metal was worn beyond normal he claims. So anyway they said it fixed it for now but he said Toyota is still investigating a more permanent solution for this widespread problem and he won't be surprised if I am calling him back in 3 or 6 months with squeaky leafs again.

On another note they also applied the TSB he said. Anxious to pick up truck next Tuesday when I return to see the effects. If there's anything major Beyond just flashing the ECU as I've experienced in the past

 

Will be interesting to see if the solution involves replacing your leafs since they are worn beyond normal. Hopefully the temp. fix will get you by until Toyota comes up with something.

 

So, the field tech flew in just for you eh? How’s that for Toyota VIP service? And whom do YOU know? NVM, J/K HAHA!

I saw those pads in between the leafs last night when I went out to take a closer look at mine and remarked how top notch the set up is.
Mine has them, so idk what is going on there, unless they somehow forgot, or run out on some and yours was one of them. What a lucky guy you are eh?? Or maybe I have the advanced edition? HA!

Moreover, I will say this much; Toyota has been using leaf spring in their vehicles since forever, and I’m pretty sure that by now they know all there is to know about the technology, so I’m not completely buying the “investigating” B/S.
What I really believe is that the investigation will show the supply/supplier of the pads simply ran out and it was a hell of a lot cheaper to let the assembly line run and fix it later, than to stop it and wait.
And If they were installed properly this time, you should be trouble free for years, maybe for the life of the vehicle. But I wouldn’t pressure was them, just knock the dirt off & quick hose.
Two down, one to go eh?
Best of luck
Cheers!

 

I need to upload a video I took on Saturday after I picked it up. I showed right where the issue was on my truck and what they said about it. Give me a while for the upload and encode and I'll update in a bit.

 

Well, here's what Toyota had to say to me, and what I've noticed anyway. Just shot and uploaded on my phone so it's not exactly edited, but hey it gets the point across and I'm no YouTuber.

 

Thanks for the video man. Appreciate that! Nice color on the truck, wishing I had gone with Barcelona now a little too....

 

What's the harm of soaking that bushing with some tri flow ???? And tell Toyota to pound sand lol?? Maybe not the last part but pressure wash it before they look at it again and no harm no foul?

 

That’s an awful noise. But leaf springs have been around since the horse stages, I don’t know why they’re acting like they need to take a trip to the moon.
They're acting like...Uh...Houston, we have a problem. :/
I couldn’t live with it, it’s too simple to fix. And it’s not like it’s the first time Toyota uses them.

Best of luck
Cheers!

 

Just got off the phone with Toyota National who told me the same sob story yall have been posting. "Toyota is aware of the problem and there is no fix." After 2 trips to the dealership which included cleaning and lubing the leaf springs I have squeak again. At 4k miles. They also attempted to tell me that I've "added weight" to the truck and that's compounding the issue. Smitty: what is your current course of action? Are you building a case?

 

Welcome to TW. I fear you have done is awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve

 

Just turned over 7,000 miles today and my suspension "clanks" when going over expansion joints, manhole lids, etc and the leafs started squeaking. Kind of funny for a vehicle that is only driven on weekends. Is there an updated thread that has recourse for these issues?

 

@GPsevinSixx ....hmmmm clanking sounds familiar. Wonder if mine was doing it pre-lift too

 

My leaf springs were squeaking like mad after a trip through snow last winter. Local dealership offered to replace both as a pair under warranty. I declined because this truck sees a lot of dirt and assumed the new leaf packs would start squeaking as well. 6 months later and they're pretty darn quiet again. Whatever sand, grit, junk was in there is gone now.

 

The clank Smitty mentioned prior.... perhaps u bolts, loose spare tire, or tailgate? Sorry, I didn't mention tailgate before in PM.

I remember smitty didn't have a tonneau cover. I have a factory tonneau that applies pressure on the tailgate when closed. This might be enough to keep the tailgate pivot cup on the left side from making noise. I wonder if these tailgates are isolated enough to keep them from clanking without the downward pressure. Check the bushing on the right side too. I think member tacitos had issues with his right side tailgate damper bushing breaking.

My old S-10 tailgate would clank on a large enough bump or jolting dip. Pretty loud metal to metal clank/ bang sound at times when the rubber isolator bushing rubber deteriorated and went to goo.