79 Series Twin Cab Landcruiser || Defective Rear Spring Packs

As the title says, the spring packs on the old cruiser have not held up and were suspect ......
Thank goodness for warranty. 3 years and or 100k (whichever the earliest) and the springs, if found wanting, will be replaced. And a big tks to ARB (and ARB Bundaberg and Geraldton) for getting this sorted for me.
Tip, travelling and you have warranty stuff as part of your kit then have a scanned copy of invoices. ARB needed proof of purchase (for date and mileage) and thankfully my mates at ARB Bundaberg came through within 5 minutes of a call, cause I did not have a copy of the receipt for the purchase of the rear leaf pack.
The rear springs had, as told to me, a manufacture defect. The second top leaf had not been rolled properly and was causing me some grief. Don't get me wrong, they were still holding up but were making themselves known (clunking and clicking).
In any event, the video will, hopefully, give you some tips on what to listen for, what to look at and how to check the bushes in the rear leaf packs for wear.
kennym

[@biglap.australia]

Love your posts where delve into issues while on the road. Nice that ARB came to the party. Coincidentally, I was talking to Pedders this week and I asked him about having greasble nipples put in on my leaf springs? They said that don’t recommend them because they attract dirt in. I notice you have air bags. I’m reluctant to add them to my Dmax due to the fear of damaging the chassis. How do you feel about it?

[@kennymepicadventures876]

Hey buddy,
Thanks for the comment 👍
Not sure what to say about greaseable shackle bushes. I have a heavy vehicle background and before airbags replaced leaf springs all the bushes were greaseable. I wonder what the bushes and sleeves are made from in your Dmax. Not too many friction surfaces don’t have lubrication, that I’m aware of.
Airbags, mmmmm. Yes I too am aware of the potential to damage chassis by over inflation. I probably have mine inflated at the lower end. When on dirt I generally run 5 psi. On black top generally 10 psi.
When I’m not loaded or towing they are deflated to, as best I can measure, about 2 psi. I’ve been through the old tele track, Frenchman’s track, and all those wonderful tracks up the cape and on this trip smashed the suspension on the gibb river road and on dirk Hartog island. No problems yet 🤞
Reckon you just need to be smart about how much you pump the airbags up.
kennym

[@biglap.australia]

@@kennymepicadventures876 yeah pressure in those bags is a huge factor. We pick up our new caravan next week so I’ll see how it pulls up. Pedders suggested I get a leaf replaced in the pack to give me some extra support. The higher end 2021 Dmax models come with two leafs and a helper. We towed our last caravan no problem with it, that was 185kgs on the ball. The new caravan will be more that’s for sure.

[@michaelramm3803]

I’m experiencing this same issue, never seen anyone have this issue other then myself! Did you find a fix or a cause to the leaf pack knocking and thumping?

[@kennymepicadventures876]

Michael,
ARB replaces rear leaf springs and shackles under warranty. That was last November, from memory. They have been okay since.
But, in the short term I’m swapping all my suspension out, future vid on that and why.
kennym

[@michaelramm3803]

@@kennymepicadventures876 yeah true! I have a newer model cruiser, had knocking and banging the leaf pack is staggered and the mechanic who put it in said it’s fine and “doesn’t make any noises” but slightest bit of flex it makes snapping and banging noises, so I’m gonna just replace the leafs outta the cruiser 😊