Leaf Spring Pin

I’m putting in a .5” shim that requires a new leaf spring center pin. I think most of the kits out there don’t use a new center pin which is why I haven’t found anything on here answering this. Do I need to do anything in particular when putting the leaf pack back together? Lube? Really don’t want a squeak back there.

 

Also, what are the torque specs for that center pin? The diagrams I’ve looked at don’t list the torque spec for it.

 

If your just adding a block I don’t think you have to take the pack apart do you? Just clamp pack, remove pin and insert block on bottom new pin through. Since the pack is not being separated I don’t think lube is necessary but I’d definitely clean the bottom of the leaf pack and perch of any dirt/sand before putting back together. I also posted a new thread a week or so back about center pin torque and was answered with I believe 33ft lbs but I’m not sure what vehicle the spec sheet was for because some of the other specs didn’t match our truck.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/need-center-pin-leaf-pack-torque.705729/

 

Damn, yeah, clamping the pack is a good idea. Already took it apart on that side though. Will definitely clamp when I do the other side. Yeah 33 sounds about what I was thinking

 

Geez... I don’t know how that didn’t come up when I was searching for it
thanks!

 

I’m surprised the instructions didn’t say to clamp the pack (maybe it was on the videos I watched) but without clamping the pack and removing the center pin didn’t the pack spring apart?

So if you didn’t clamp on removal did you clamp them together before tightening the new pin? I don’t think the bolts are made to tighten/clamp the leafs on there own.

From my reading, you clamp the pack until you have no daylight between the leafs then you can tighten/torque the center pin

like I said I’m not sure what that spec sheet is for what vehicle because after I was all done I looked at the other numbers and it didn’t match the 3rd gen. But that’s what I used and didn’t think it was bad - how much different can 1 pack be from another.

 

It didn’t come with any instructions whatsoever. I was a little surprised about that.
Yeah, it definitely sprung apart. It caught me off guard a little.

 

If I could recommend any advise it would be to always search installs on YouTube (and watch at least a few) and see the install process prior to your install. Not saying that every video is accurate or right, which is why I said watch a few, but it will give you an idea of what you need to do/what tools maybe needed/possibly some tips and tricks to make the install easier.

there’s a video how to for everything nowadays

 

Oh yeah, absolutely. I did watch videos but all the ones I saw the shim/block didn’t use a new center pin. It just had a hole for the old one to seat itself in. When I bought this it didn’t occur to me that this one had a center pin when other ones didn’t. It’s really surprising that every single video doing stuff like this doesn’t say the torque specs. I would think if you’re making a video that would be an absolute must. These days I like to get things done right. Especially something like this. When I was 20, I lost the rear out of my Camaro in the pic while driving down the road because I didn’t spec the U bolts right.. Yea....shitshow. Bouncing all over the road. Tire smashing up into the wheel well.

 

I hear ya, Most have no problem just cranking on it by feel but I can’t. I have to have specs. I always search the service procedure to knows the steps and specs- that center pin was just not there because taking apart the pack wasn’t part of the procedure. Even though I’m not 100% on that 33, I can’t imagine there being that varying of a difference between any leaf pack.

I never did check if the aftermarket packs list anything

 

The guy at Wheeler‘s off road where I bought it didn’t have a spec for the center pin. He just said to use the factory spec

 

When I did my AAL, I ran a bead of "

$18 Energy Suspension 9.11104 8 OZ TUB OF FORMULA 5 PRELUBE

Energy Suspension 9.11104 8 Oz Tub Of Lubricant" between each leaf a la @GPsevinSixx's post here. Not even a mouse squeak back there.

 

I just checked installation instructions for Icon add a leaf and it didn't give a spec for the center pin, just the u-bolts.
I think 33 lbs sounds good but you could look up torque range for fine thread of that diameter then go on light side of that range??
The u-bolts will hold it together.