In the middle of a road trip my 4runner developed a new wobble. Looking underneath I realized a bunch of the rear passenger-side springs had snapped (see pic). There is also a block lift that a previous owner had put in (I'm guessing 3 inches).

A few questions:
- I'm guessing it's quite inadvisable to drive 300 miles home with this condition?
- given the block lift, will original-sizes leaf springs still work?
- an official replacement part is a special order and won't get here for a week. Are there any other leaf springs that can be thrown back there in a pinch?
- any other ideas of how I can get back on the road? Any help greatly appreciated

 

Yes, yes, maybe..

Contact the local 4wd place and see if the atleast have the right length ubolts if they don't have a set of OME (oldmanemu) that will work.

If you have the ubolts or can get them off with out damage (unlikely) you might be able to source used springs from an auto salvage.

You should tell us where you are near someone might have a set of springs for you near by.

 

Thanks a lot for the response. I'm in Flagstaff AZ.

I found a 84 Toyota Pickup at a local junkyard, which I understand has interchangeable springs. Lacking other options, I will try to pry those off.

 

Sounds like a great option in a pinch.

 

ubolts are stretched when torqued, I understand your urgency but I would replace them ASAP. the rear spring pack should be good from that 4runner.

 

The amount of stretch in a given bolt before it snaps is really kind of negligible.

A much more common and prevelant concern is sheering the bolt trying to get the nuts to release since they are in such a harse environment.

Poke around on you tube for some destructive tests on head bolts vs studs. The deviation in lenghts are within the realm of standard deviation due to measuring technic.

 

length wasn't my point or concern. the integrity of the bolt after its been torqued is diminished, which is also what your saying.

 

Thanks for all the advice. I swapped in the junkyard leafspring and got home successfully. I will replace the leafsprings / shocks / ubolts with new ones. I'm actually looking for recommendations on that front (started new thread here).