Broken leaf springs - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

woodsailor · 08-29-2005, 10:29 AM

The middle leaf spring on each side in the rear of my 97 4wd Tacoma truck is broken. My mechanic put some hose clamps around the leaf packs for now until I decide whether to fix, so there's no chance the broken leaf could swing out and hit a tire or something. The springs have probably been busted for months or years, but I didn't notice until I put new shocks on last week. The truck still rides and handles great.

Should I replace the springs (quoted about $500 for parts and labor) or just drive it as is for another year or two while I own the truck?

nofear4189 · 08-29-2005, 11:44 AM

id fix them jsut to be safe. Thats all you need is that spring coming off on the highway. For 500$, it might be worth fixing them both. One of my buddies broke cxompletely and i think they just bought one at a junkyard and put it on themselves. I think it was kinda hard for them to fix, but they got it on eventually.

-Adam

***humanoid*** · 08-29-2005, 11:58 AM

If you decide to keep your truck I'd replace them ASAP. In fact I would replace them, period. You can get a pretty good replacement pack at http://www.wheelersoffroad.com/tacoleafs.htm. They also have a broken leaf repair kit, but they are discountinuing them, but they do have a few sets left. If it were me, I'd get a replacement leaf set to be on the safe side.

karazy · 08-30-2005, 04:08 AM

If the reason for not fixing it is a money problem, just get a local shop to make you a replacement leaf. I did it a few years ago, for my Trooper and it cost $20. Depending on the condition of the hardware (rust), it should take less than an hour to swap it in. Get rid of the hose clamps and buy the proper after market clamps, if the originals can't be reused.

Sidney · 08-30-2005, 06:26 AM

Apperently there is a recall by Toyota for those busted leaf springs and there is also a lawsuit in the works.

Sidney® ™
Repairs tv's,vcr's,home/car audio out of my home
E-mail:sidneybek@yahoo.com
Dartmouth,Nova Scotia
Canada
1985 Toyota 4-Runner,solid front straight axle,factory cruise control,sunroof,22R-E,W56,RN60LV-MSEK,rusted rear step/towing chrome bumper with 245 000 KM

http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/May02/May18.html
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/SonyAudMod.html
http://www.newark.com/product-detail...ge/32-9495.jpg
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/Oct02/Oct028.html
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/Oct02/Oct029.html
http://www.iwaynet.net/~nesda/Oct04/Oct041.html

O
|\ __O
_|_| \