Canada - Suspension - Rear End Squeaking Noise On Bumps
Bulletin
T-TCI-3666
Issue Date
December 8, 2011
Market
Canada
Title
REAR SUSPENSION SQUEAK NOISE
Service Category
Suspension
Section
Rear Suspension
Market
Canada
APPLICABILITY
INTRODUCTION
Some 2005 - 2011 model year 4x4 or PreRunner Tacoma vehicles may exhibit a squeak noise from the rear leaf spring when traveling over speed bumps or with suspension movement from loading and unloading the suspension. A new leaf spring pad has been made available to reduce the noise.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
PARTS INFORMATION
REPAIR PROCEDURE
Verify Source of Squeak Noise
1. Confirm noise is present by jouncing the rear suspension.
2. Lift the vehicle by the frame to allow the rear suspension to hang.
3. Place a rag between the spring insulator and the leaf spring.
4. Lower the vehicle and jounce the vehicle. If the noise goes away, the source of the noise is the leaf spring pad.
NOTE
After isolating all pads using rags, if the noise continues to persist, noise is NOT from the leaf spring pad. This TSB does NOT apply. Further diagnosis is needed to locate the source of the noise.
For 3-leaf spring, please see replacement procedure. For 4-leaf spring please see replacement procedure.
Spring Pad Replacement Procedure: 3 Leaf Spring
NOTE
Perform the following procedures on both the RH and LH sides of the vehicle.
1. Lift the vehicle by the frame to allow the rear suspension to hang.
2. Using a pry bar, separate the two main leaves allowing access to the leaf spring pad installed on the lower leaf of the spring pack.
NOTICE
Be careful NOT to scratch the spring surface with the pry bar, pick, punch, screwdriver, or other tools. Wrap the tool with electrical tape to protect the leaf from scratches.
3. Use a pry bar as a wedge to hold the leaf springs apart.
4. Use a pick, punch, or screwdriver to push upward on the spring silencer pad from the underside of the spring pack through the access hole.
5. Push the spring pad up high enough to remove it from the spring assembly. Applying light pressure to the back of the pad will be enough to detach the pad out of the hole.
6. Use needle nose pliers to remove the old leaf spring pad and discard.
7. Using brake clean or equivalent, completely remove all grease and dirt between the leaf springs.
NOTICE
Remove all grease and grease residue. DO NOT APPLY GREASE TO THE PAD AND SPRING SURFACE.
8. Index the NEW spring pad so that the locating tabs are facing away from the center of the leaf spring. Use needle nose pliers to center the spring pad in the hole in the leaf spring.
9. Install the spring silencer pad in the leaf spring pack carefully. It may be necessary to use another pry bar to seat the silencer pad into the mounting hole on the leaf spring assembly.
10. Repeat for the front pad and then for the leaf spring on the opposite side.
11. Test drive vehicle to verify repair.
Spring Pad Replacement Procedure: 4 Leaf Spring
NOTE
Perform the following procedures on both the RH and LH sides of the vehicle.
1. Lift the vehicle by the frame to allow the rear suspension to hang.
2. Using a pry bar or large flat screwdriver, separate the No. 1 and No. 2 leaves.
NOTICE
Be careful NOT to scratch the spring surface with the pry bar, pick, punch, screwdriver, or other tools. Wrap the tool with electrical tape to protect the leaf from scratches.
3. Use a pry bar as a wedge to hold the leaf spring apart when removing the spring pad.
4. Use a pick, punch, or screwdriver to push upward on the spring silencer pad from the underside of the spring pack through the access hole.
5. Push the spring pad up high enough to remove it from the spring assembly. Applying light pressure to the back of the pad will be enough to detach the pad out of the hole.
6. Remove the old leaf spring pad and discard.
7. Using brake clean or equivalent, completely remove all grease and dirt between the leaf springs.
NOTICE
- Remove all grease and grease residue. DO NOT APPLY GREASE TO THE PAD AND SPRING SURFACE.
- Do NOT reinstall the new pad at this point. Due to the tighter clearances of the 4 leaf spring, installation procedure is slightly different than the 3 leaf spring.
8. Using a pry bar or large flat screwdriver, separate the No. 2 and No. 3 leaves.
9. Use a pick, punch, or screwdriver to push upward on the spring pad from the underside of the spring pack through the access hole.
10. Push the leaf spring pad up high enough to remove it from the spring assembly. Applying light pressure to the back of the pad will be enough to detach the pad out of the hole.
11. Remove the old leaf spring pad and discard.
12. Using brake clean or equivalent, completely remove all grease and dirt between the leaf springs.
13. Index the NEW spring pad so that the locating tabs are facing away from the center of the leaf spring.
14. Install the NEW spring pad into the No. 3 leaf pack. It may be necessary to use another pry bar to seat the spring pad into the mounting hole on the leaf spring assembly.
15. Pry open the gap between the No. 1 and No. 2 leaves.
16. Index the NEW spring pad so that the locating tabs are facing away from the center of the leaf spring.
17. Install the NEW spring pad into the No. 2 leaf pack. It may be necessary to use another pry bar to seat the spring pad into the mounting hole on the leaf spring assembly.
18. Repeat for the front pad and then for the leaf spring on the opposite side.
19. Test drive vehicle to verify repair.
NOTE:
Issue of this Technical Service Bulletin is to ensure that proper repair information is available. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR. Normal provisions of the formal warranty policy, as applicable, will apply.