What happened to my dakar springs?

I took a peek under the truck and noticed some damage to my dakar leaf springs after some off-roading. It appears that during a big spring compression, the clip that holds the leaves together smashed into the bottom of the truck's frame and got bent out of shape. Has anyone seen this before or know why this happened? Is it still safe to leave the spring clip in that condition or does it need to be replaced?

 

I'd just bend it back and carry on

I heard some weird noises my last trip offroad too and didn't even think to look for this...

 

Nbd

 

I would bend it back and call it good. Maybe it's time for some bump stops?

 

Hot damn, those retainers are as tall as the bump stop! No wonder it hit the frame...

 

Bend it back. Mine was similar upon arrival from where Fed ex threw them on The ground

Although min weren't the updated version they didn't bend that much just a little and broke plastic isolators which arb sent me.

 

Looks like it hit the frame. It was the bump stop, it looks like.

 

Taller bump stops should help prevent this... I need to get some too.

 

They come with those clamps stock, the manufacturer didn't send you some from a different leafpack? That's some fucked up shit. (Probably just cheap manufacturing using the same clamp for all leafpacks). Bending it back is pointless, as you'll just bend it next time you're out. I can't see the rest of the pack, but you could either cut them down so they are just U shape (flush with the top spring) with no upper bolt, cut them down and lower the bolt or take them off completely. option will all depend on the rest of the pack.

 

Reduce travel due to a shitty manufactured/designed part? You'd be far better off going back to stock springs and a steel lift block than reducing travel with larger bump stops.

 

The design may be terrible, but the bump stops are also to help prevent blowing the shocks, in this case they serve more than one purpose. I removed my blocks and replaced them with an Add a leaf, the ride improved drastically. The previous owner of my truck completely blew both rear shocks.
Another option would be to remove those brackets and install your own shorter ones.

 

As my other post, modifying/replacing/removing the clamps is the only real option IMO. Your blown shock is a different reason, probably overextending it. Longer bump stops is not the solution to the op problem, its like reducing turning radius cuz you want tires that don't fit the vehicle.

 

If it were me I'd take the bolt out, cut some height off of it (doesn't matter how much so long as it's shorter than the bump stop at full compression) then drill two new holes for the bolt. Makes more sense than straightening that thing only to plow it into your frame again.

 

My blown shocks are because the previous owner was an idiot. He clearly abused the truck off-road with blocks, spacers and no additional suspension upgrades. But yes, modifying the clamps is probably the best option.

 

I don't understand the just "bend it back" and move on mentality the next time you go off road it's going to bend again right ? It's a very poor design that has to be addressed. First thing to do is send those pictures off to the manufacturer and see what they say. That's unacceptable. a longer bump stop limits your travel why would you buy long travel rear leaves and then limit travel?. Get a hold of the people who make them and find out what's going on.

 

I went out and looked at my truck with el096r packs as well.. my brackets are not nearly that long. I have about 1/2" between the top leaf and the bolt.. something is funky with yours

 

Maybe the new guy made yours?

 

Looks like it's time for a BUMP STOP GROUP BUY

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/group-buy-locked-off-road-bumpstops.502653/page-7#post-15777500

 

I'm so glad I have the older dakars

Those clamps look extremely ghetto