Suspension - Harsh Ride - Rear Suspension
T-SB-0359-10December 21, 2010
Rear Spring Harsh Ride
Service Category
Suspension
Section
Rear Suspension
Market
USA
Applicability
TSB SUPERSESSION NOTICE
The information contained in this TSB supersedes TSB No. T-SB-0305-08.
^ Applicability has been updated to include 2011 model year vehicles.
TSB No. T-SB-0305-08 is Obsolete and any printed versions should be discarded. Be sure to review the entire content of this service bulletin before proceeding.
Introduction
Some customers of Tacoma 4x4 or Pre Runner vehicles with Access or Double cabs may experience a harsh ride from the rear suspension while carrying heavy cargo in the bed and driving over bumps or uneven road surfaces. Updated rear spring assemblies and front and rear shocks are available to improve this condition.
NOTE
Customers should be advised that vehicle ride characteristics in an unloaded condition may exhibit an increase in rear suspension firmness.
Warranty Information
APPLICABLE WARRANTY
^ This repair is covered under the Toyota Comprehensive Warranty.
This warranty is in effect for 36 months or 36,000 miles, whichever occurs first, from the vehicle's in-service date.
^ Warranty application is limited to occurrence of the specified condition described in this bulletin.
Parts Information
Repair Procedure
2005 - 2008 Tacoma Non-TRD Option Package Truck
Remove and replace the rear spring assemblies and all shock absorbers.
Refer to the Technical Information System (TIS) applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
2009 - 2011 Tacoma Non-TRD Option Package Truck
Remove and replace the rear spring assemblies. Do NOT replace the front and rear shocks.
Refer to TIS applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
2005 - 2011 Tacoma TRD Option Package Truck
Remove and replace the rear spring assemblies. Do NOT replace the front and rear shocks.
Refer to TIS applicable model and model year Repair Manual:
Alignment Inspection Procedure
An alignment inspection and adjustment is required after the installation of the new rear leaf springs. The NEW alignment specifications are provided below.
1. Measure vehicle height.
Bounce the vehicle up and down at the corners to stabilize the suspension before inspecting the vehicle height.
Measuring points:
^ A is the ground clearance of front wheel center.
^ B is the ground clearance of adjustment cam bolt center (front side).
^ C is the ground clearance of rear wheel center.
^ D is the ground clearance of rear leaf spring front side bushing center.
NOTE
Before inspecting the wheel alignment, check the vehicle height.
2. Adjust toe-In.
If toe-in is NOT within the specified range adjust it at the rack ends.
3. Adjust toe-in.
A. Remove the rack boot set clips.
B. Loosen the tie rod end lock nuts.
C. Turn the right and left rack ends uniformly to adjust toe-in.
HINT
Try to adjust toe-in to the middle of the specified range.
D. Make sure that the lengths of the right and left rack ends are the same.
E. Torque the tie rod end lock nuts.
Torque: 55.5 N*m (566 kg*cm, 41 ft*lbf)
F. Place the boots on the seats and install the clips.
HINT
Make sure that the boots are NOT twisted.
4. Inspect the wheel turning angle.
Turn the steering wheel fully and measure the turning angle.
If the right and left turning angles of the inside and outside wheels are not within the specified ranges check the right and left rack end lengths.
5. Inspect the camber caster and steering axis inclination.
6. Adjust the camber and caster.
NOTE
Inspect and re-adjust toe after making any adjustments to caster or camber.
A. Loosen the nut and bolt.
B. Turn camber adjust cam No.2 and the toe adjust cam and adjust the camber and the caster.
HINT
Try to adjust the camber and caster to the central values.