Help: Squeeky leaf springs

Spanish Taco

Spanish Taco

Member
Hey, i am just trying to get feedback on my Tacoma leaf springs. Had them replaced just 2000 miles on them because the squeeky sound was bad. I am now at 4500 and the springs are squeeking again after some mudding. I dont hear older Tacomas or any older trucks have this problem. Has anyone dealt with this? Is there a way to have it fixed? Does it just need thorough cleaning?
 
Spanish Taco said:
Hey, i am just trying to get feedback on my Tacoma leaf springs. Had them replaced just 2000 miles on them because the squeeky sound was bad. I am now at 4500 and the springs are squeeking again after some mudding. I dont hear older Tacomas or any older trucks have this problem. Has anyone dealt with this? Is there a way to have it fixed? Does it just need thorough cleaning?
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Wash em after muddin
 
Keeping them clean and lubed will help. Apparently there was an issue with the leaf spring hangers too. I haven’t had the problem on my 17 DCLB Sport yet.
 
Previously ...

Bojangles said: ↑
Wasnt sure what to do....
Think silicone spray would hold up?
I just liked the tack of marine grease and it was handy.


Yeah silicone spray (dry) or other "dry" lubricants work pretty well, ideally get some sheet rubber 1/32" thick & a little contact cement , cut some small squares just under the width of spring & when you pry the leafs apart carefully place the "anti squeak" pads you cut towards the end of spring ,put a little glue on one side of pad, slide into place ,release the pressure , lower truck till full weight is on road again, drive,,, no squeaks for a few years even,

BUT BE VERY CAREFULL when prying & securing the spring when you set pad, theres a lot of tension & you don't want any fingers in the way if it lets go..

I'd agree with you but then we'd BOTH be wrong...
4wd, Sep 22, 2017 Edit Report
#9 Reply
 
Bogunn said:
Keeping them clean and lubed will help. Apparently there was an issue with the leaf spring hangers too. I haven’t had the problem on my 17 DCLB Sport yet.
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I have a friend with a sport and he hasnt had a problem with it either. I know a few others with off road versions that dont have a problem like it either.
 
Spanish Taco said:
I have a friend with a sport and he hasnt had a problem with it either. I know a few others with off road versions that dont have a problem like it either.
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There’s a lot of good info on the forum about the same issue.
The thread OR17TRD posted has great info about the gen threes with the same issue being from leaf spring hangers. And the info 4wd posted is genius to stop it on any generation Tacoma (or any truck for that matter).
If it would happen to be the leaf spring hangers I’d stay on the dealer to fix it. But I’d also try keeping them clean and lubed up too. If you follow the instructions 4wd posted from the collective knowledge of some pretty sharp Tacoma owners you shouldn’t have any more trouble on the leaf spring end.
 
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Regardless if it's the spring tips rubbing or squeaky rear shackle (the hanger is in front & affixed to frame)
It almost always comes back to dirt/debris working it's way in, if lubing is your fix then make sure it's not a petroleum based lube, these types will degrade & eventually rot out bushings in leaf springs/shackles,etc;...
 
TacoKen said:
Why not WD40? It shouldn't hurt anything.....
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It's not that it'll hurt anything (with a few uses), it won't last long at all & you'll be spraying that **** all the time & being petroleum based it'll eventually rot the rubber bushings in spring/shackles...
 
4wd said:
It's not that it'll hurt anything (with a few uses), it won't last long at all & you'll be spraying that **** all the time & being petroleum based it'll eventually rot the rubber bushings in spring/shackles...
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From what I heard, WD40 is safe on all rubber products. Glass installer use it to install rubber gaskets for windshields on older cars. Works better than soap and water. Won't hurt paint either. From what I am reading I think you pretty much have to live with the squeaking. :rolleyes:
 
TacoKen said:
From what I heard, WD40 is safe on all rubber products. Glass installer use it to install rubber gaskets for windshields on older cars. Works better than soap and water. Won't hurt paint either. From what I am reading I think you pretty much have to live with the squeaking. :rolleyes:
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Pretty sure WD40 is still petroleum based , I could be mistaken, but if it is it will eventually start the rotting process to spray once in awhile is no big thing but why do that when the fix is anti squeak pads, 99% of the reason springs make noise is dirt /debris working it's way between the leafs, especially at the ends

I posted a fix for this issue using 1/32" industrial rubber (it's a little thicker than an inner tube)place the pads with a little glue on 1 side on the tips of leafs & you'll probably be squeak free for the ownership of your truck..Save the WD40 for door hinges & keyed locks...
 
4wd said:
Pretty sure WD40 is still petroleum based , I could be mistaken, but if it is it will eventually start the rotting process to spray once in awhile is no big thing but why do that when the fix is anti squeak pads, 99% of the reason springs make noise is dirt /debris working it's way between the leafs, especially at the ends

I posted a fix for this issue using 1/32" industrial rubber (it's a little thicker than an inner tube)place the pads with a little glue on 1 side on the tips of leafs & you'll probably be squeak free for the ownership of your truck..Save the WD40 for door hinges & keyed locks...
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I'm going under the truck bed today to take a look. Some say it's the spring clamps rubbing and others say it's the rubber in the shackles. I've had several trucks in my lifetime but never had any squeaks from leaf springs. This is a first and hopefully the last. If I can't find a fix, i'll be moving on to a different truck next time.
 
Well, had my son jump up and down on the rear bumper while I listen. No squeak. He thinks maybe the leaf springs need to be warmed up so guess next step is to check them after driving for awhile? Make any sense to anyone?
 
TacoKen said:
Well, had my son jump up and down on the rear bumper while I listen. No squeak. He thinks maybe the leaf springs need to be warmed up so guess next step is to check them after driving for awhile? Make any sense to anyone?
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Nothing makes since anymore. Haha.
Have him get in the bed on one side and jump and the the other side and jump and see if it’s the way the load is on the springs. It my be they squeak with no load when the bed bounces.
 
OR17TRD said:
Nothing makes since anymore. Haha.
Have him get in the bed on one side and jump and the the other side and jump and see if it’s the way the load is on the springs. It my be they squeak with no load when the bed bounces.
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Ya, I am going fishing today off-road so I will for sure get it squeaking. I think you are right about side to side as going over rocks and irregular bumps seem to cause it.
 
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