Rear Leaf Springs Life Span

Hey Everybody,

How is everybody doing on this Monday. Our Tacoma is almost twenty years old. How long generally do rear leaf springs last. Our Tacoma is a 1999 SR5 Extra-cab with a 3.4 and a 5-Speed. It is now our designated fixer upper house's fix it truck. It gets loaded up about three to four times a year.

Thanks in advance for all of your replies.

Take it easy,
Paul

 

If they're not broken or sagging, just keep on rolling.

Leaf springs don't really have a life span but they will sag after years of use from loading.
However, Toyota leaf springs do have a tendency to break, typically right at right the center bolt. Look for loose leafs and listen for the rattle. If you have to replace them, a cutting torch is often your only good option.

 

It all depends just how hard they were used.

Although once you think it is time to replace them your not going to be happy till you do

 

If it's just a house project truck and only gets really loaded a few times a year I wouldn't bother unless something was actually wrong with them. New leafs are on my eventually list, just because, but even loaded my truck doesn't sag that bad. Unless you're hauling all the time or want better performance offroad I'd leave them

 

Attempting to remove the U-bolts and shackle bolts from a 19 year old truck is generally a exercise in futility. If you do decide to replace the springs, gather ALL the hardware you will need in addition to the springs themselves. You will more than likely end up cutting the old ones off and even if you don't, you're better off using new hardware.

I purchased a set of springs from General Spring for a 1st gen Tacoma and they were excellent springs. However, when Toyota replaced the frame on that truck the new frame came with new springs. So I ended up with Toyota springs anyway.

I've seen leaf springs last decades and I've seen them crack or sag in less 5 years. They're sort of a "If it aint broke don't fix it" thing.
Some people that know they will be hauling heavy loads will add leafs or upgrade entire spring sets as a preventative measure but that's a case by case basis.

I will say that the quality of the steel used to make the springs has a LOT to do with the lifespan of the spring. Too brittle and they will crack (usually at the center bolt), too soft and they will take a set and sag.

 

I have a 98 with stock springs and a couple add-a-leafs. She flexes well and hauls decent. With the topper on it rides better. Like others have said - if it's not broken don't fix it

 

It's good practice to just go ahead and replace the U bolts as well. Those things stretch too.

But as others have said, how long they last depends completely on how they have been used, not necessarily age or mileage. They are fairly flat from the factory, so flat springs isn't really a sign. If they are inverted, then yeah, replace them.

That said, unfortunately there aren't a lot of good quality aftermarket options for leaf unless you want to get some lift. Most of the stock height springs sag more quickly than even the stock ones.

Another option is to get them re-arched at a spring shop.

The best way to improve your ride, though, is shocks.

 

Totally depends on where you live too. My U-Bolts and rear suspension had no issue breaking free because there was zero rust.

 

I'll take "states that don't salt the roads" for $1000, Alex.

 

I became real friendly with a sawzall during this job. Literally cut everything. Rust sucks. Anti sneeze is the greatest thing since sliced bread, I put it or some other form of grease on everything upon reassembly.

 

My garage always smells like "PB Blaster" The toyota isn't in there much though. It's the other vehicles that always need maintenance. lol