Dobinsons leaf springs creaking

Hey guys. Just wanted to make a post to document my issues, and the fixes I'm gonna try. My dobinson leaf springs have been creaking for awhile now. I'm sure it's probably just dirt and debris between the leafs.

I jacked up the frame to let the rear axle sag to open up the leafs. I pressure washed very thoroughly, blew out any excess water with my air compressor, the put a big fan on each leaf for a few hours, just to be sure to displace/evaporate any water. I then used almost an entire can of CRC Dry Moly lube between the leafs. I chose dry moly first because I feel it will stay in place better than graphite. Moly tends to plate itself to the metal under pressure, so it shouldn't get displaced easily. If this doesn't work, I have a can of Slip Plate dry graphite spray I'll try.

I'll keep yall posted with the results.

 

Mine creak as well. It’s the front part of the leaves closet to the cab of truck. It’s the second or third leaf spring isolator pad I think. I put leaf spring clamps from autozone right over those pads clamped the down and no more creaking. My creaking could be really loud at times. They would creak just with me stepping on my sliders to get in my truck.

 

Figured I would update. I was gonna wait awhile.

The creaking is completely gone after pressure washing and applying the dry moly lube. Did some pretty heavy offroading a few days afterwards and they didn't make a peep

 

Update:

Still going strong. No creaks or noises! Lots of dusty roads, off roads trails, and water crossings.

 

That awesome. I’ve had the same experience. Minus I haven’t been on creek crossings but I spread me leafs apart and applied anti seize lubricant to leaf pads and hosed them down with maxima chain wax and I haven’t had any noises or creaks either.

 

That's awesome! Always more than one way to skin a cat (at least thats what I was told growing up, might be outdated info by now )

 

That plays where I’m from still. At least that’s what I tell my kids. I love my tundra though. Always been a Chevy guy and had a 2020 trail boss blacked out good looking truck but engine I couldn’t stand and had a ticking noise at idle that GM knew about but couldn’t do anything about. Wasn’t your normal ticking noise either, more like piston slap. Anyway, said I would trade it in for a Tundra in a heart beat ended up doing it after talking with the wife after 2 and half weeks and couldn’t be happier. Love the tundra and the Dobinson set up. Have a super white with 2.25 Dobinson lift with heavy leaf pack with 35x12.5 Toyo RT on Icon rebound 17 titanium wheels. I love it.

 

That’s only pic I have at the moment on my phone .

 

@BSage2813 glad to hear it! I love my tundra as well. It's been virtually trouble free, other than damage caused by myself. Only things I've had to change from age/mileage was the water pump and belt tensioner ( also replaced thermostat, idler pulley, belt), the blower motor, and carrier bearing. Mine has 244k on it. I beat the hell out of it and it just keeps going. It's one of the most American built trucks as well. Before this truck I was a Ford guy (older models) and I still have my 1995 f250 7.3, it's what I was driving before I got a great deal on this truck.

I had a 2016 ram 1500 for a little bit. But it was a piece of garbage. Major electrical issues, no start issues, windows would roll down, then not roll back up for a few days. I hated it. Did my research and landed on toyota for reliability. I was gonna get a 3rd gen tacoma since I offroad so much, but settled on the tundra for the power, price point, cab space, and it still fit my offroad needs.

 

That's a good looking truck!!!

 

What type of creaking were you experiencing? I have a 3" king coil over lift with i 1" rear shackle lift and my truck creaks when ever i tur or stop if there is some type of body roll. Im trying to figure out the cause and was wondering if maybe its the leaf springs.

 

@Sumo91 how are your leaf packs doing? I'm thinking I've got the same issue.

 

My creaking still exist. This leafs are terrible. I’ve tried everything and nothing last. Dobinsons customer service sucks so no help there. I step on my sliders to get in my truck and it creaks. When I hit the gas to go they creak when I stop they creak. They just suck that’s all I can say.

 

Mine are the heavy pack as well.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/icon-rxt-leaf-pack-driving-me-mad.125401/#post-3229811

^ good info here on how to silence leaf packs