Fixing a broke leaf, the cheap way

Hello Tacoma world! Recently bought a 1996 4x4, came with a top broken leaf on one side. I got this truck for a fantastic deal, but really don't wanna break my bank fixing this. I know the proper way would be to get a new leaf and install it but that would be time and money. I'm thinking I could somehow get a few ubolts and clamps that I've seen on other trucks and just clamp this guy down. It's just the top leaf that's broken. It seems like this would be feasible, I'm just concerned about how hard this would be to complete, and the potential for the ubolt to shift significantly. What do y'all think about this cheap fix? Would it work? Any advise?

The previous owner has kept it like this for years, I guess he broke it going over a log and never bothered to fix it. I wanna do it to prevent it getting worse and because of the potential to increase wear on one tire once I get new ones. Attached is a pic of the issue.

Thanks!

 

I mean...that would keep it from sticking straight up like that, but a broken leaf is a broken leaf...it's not doing it's job when it's broken.

Also, the entire leaf pack is frowning when they should be straight or even a little arching upward. The right way to fix this situation is to get a new leaf pack, the band-aid fix would be to put an add-a-leaf or two in to maybe give it a little more life. But that broken spring should be replaced, no getting around that

 

Jesus man, replace them!

hell, I have a set in my yard you can have for free. Just come by and they're yours, lol...


EDIT: since you have a 1996, my 2004 springs won't physically fit. sorry to get your hopes up, lol.

 

You can always hit up a junkyard and pull a leaf from another vehicle to throw into your leaf pack, a lot of people do that to get more life out of their saggy springs. Assuming you want to go the least expensive route

Probably want to do it to both sides though so you don't end up with one side sitting higher than the other

 

NO!

The top leaf is what’s supposed to hold your axle in alignment. The wrap on the second leaf is there to keep it close to aligned if the top leaf breaks, like yours did.

Don’t drive it like that!!!

Replace the top leaf and u-bolts at an absolute bare minumum, better yet, replace both leaf packs and u-bolts.

 

A leaf would be the cheapest way with some safety to it, if you are in severe budget mode. Time and money? Yea, most things are, especially if done so you continue to live and not risk the lives of others.

That's time and money too, and doesn't fix anything. I don't know what you've 'seen on other trucks', but it sure wasn't a fix for a broken spring........ that was worth having.

Define 'work'.

Advice? I'd advise you to not do it your way.

 

Replace! That is a safety issue

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld
Replace both sides

 

It is time and money...it's also life and limb,which is more important to you ?
They need to be rearched BTW if you have a press its not hard to do.
Like someone else stated,go to a pick a part and snag one.
Does it thump when you come to a complete stop?

 

Replace them.

Where are you located?

I'll even help you replace them.

 

Good luck when you get into an accident since the rear end went sideways and you knowingly didn't fix broken suspension because you are stupidly trying to save $100 on a projectile weighing thousands of pounds.

 

Damn, dude. I just gave away a pair of OEM leaf springs/front coils/upper control arms last week. I would of gave them to you, if you were local.

 

There are many less painful ways to kill yourself burning while your still alive is rough not a way I would wish on anyone I had a good friend killed that way Her screams still haunt my dreams.

It comes down to being your Truck do as you will being that is the left side right besides the fuel tank I would think long and hard about patching instead of doing it the correct way with two new or used springs.

 

Obviously those need to be replaced but if you're in a pinch you could synch the broken piece down with some leaf spring stabilizers for under $20. I wouldn't go long with it but it'll be safer than without.

 

As a trail fix, sure. But I wouldn't drive on something like that more than 25mph straight to a shop/garage and wait for replacements.

 

Alright everyone I do appreciate you calling me out on my idiocracy. Like I said previous owner was a bit of an idiot too, and been driving it like this for years. Since it's starting to rain I'm gunna buy new tires and noticed that the tire on the side with the broken leaf wore faster (duh) so definitely need to replace it. Could do it the cheap way but while I'm already doing it might be a good idea and invest in new leaf pack, but it would be stupid to do that and not get a whole new suspension kit with it and that's big $$. Lots of work to do and I appreciate all the advise. Thanks.

 

It’s only expensive or difficult if you want it to be. If a junkyard leaf pack is expensive and too much work, don’t even consider a lift kit.

 

No junkyard is pennies. I do most of my own car work but never did a leaf replacement so it'll take.. probably a weekend to do Might as well buy new ones if it's gunna take that long

 

Doesn’t take an afternoon.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aVoSTxwcFSg

 

3-4 hours that's it.

Unless you live in the rust belt, then some swearing and beer cause you'll need to cut shit off.