Is this safe?

Had a local shop install the Icon 1.5” AAL in the rear of my TRD Pro and kept the overloads in. I noticed they removed the retaining brackets that held the E-brake line. Is this safe? Looks like there’s a retaining bracket that touches every leaf, but wanted to be sure. There’s a retaining bracket on the other side of the overload as well.

 

Is your third spring broken?

 

Nothing wrong with it

 

That does not look even close to right. The e brake should have a retainer otherwise the brake line will probably rub and the clamp hitting the overload spring does not look right.

 

No, that extra piece on the end is for “harmonics”. If you look, it’s thicker than the leaf next to it. They’re on the TRD Pro models. Looks like it was cut but that’s OEM. I’m talking about the bracket that once existed that held on the E brake line.

 

That’s exactly how they all look on TRD Pro models. The harmonics metal piece on the end isnt what I’m talking about. That’s exactly how Icon tells you to install the AAL, im just talking about the retaining bracket that was removed that also held the e-brake line. Besides that, it was installed correctly

 

This does not look correct at all

 

It looks right from videos I’ve seen except that bottom leaf under the bracket. They do that for a reason? And there a missing band?Not sure about the brake cable bracket though.

 

Yeah the bottom leaf is the overload, I had to keep mine in with the setup Im running. I just talked to a 20+ year toyota tech and he said everything is correct after he looked at the instructions etc. He said the retaining brackets in the front that came with the AAL will keep everything in place.

 

My shop did the same. I think it was to allow more travel in the brake line.

 

From what I know, it's common the retainer bracket can't go back on once the AAL is installed just due to fitment - so they didn't choose to keep it off, but there are a few guys who make brackets for aftermarket installations that will help secure the line.

I'm about to go through the same thing and have a feeling this will be the same outcome.

 

I drilled the hole bigger in the cable bracket and used the bolt on the aal to secure it.

 

That’s not correct. Under heavy compression the overload leaf will jam into the bottom nut on the retainer bracket, rather than the rubber pad it’s supposed to. Over time that will either pound the bolt head into oblivion, or smash the bracket apart, or crack the leaf.

Whomever put this together has no idea how leaf springs work.

 

This has always been my concern when seeing AAL installs with overload left in. It can't be right at all...but maybe it's "okay"? Honestly curious if this has ever cause a real structural issue for anyone over a year or two of use.

Everyone does do it, but then again if everyone jumped off a bridge....lol

Does anyone have any long term use to report?

 

There’s no way that is right. It’s just not right on many levels. They need to remove that bracket.

 

Oh yeah I 100% agree with you - just curious if anyone with long term use can report anything, as so many people do actually leave it like this.

 

I’m surprised. When I had my add-a-leaf put in they drilled that gatherer out and added a new bracket that gathered all the springs properly. If you ever seen the forces at play in leaf pack, you do not want a bracket and bolt head in the middle of the action.

No I’m wondering if all these people who complain about squeaky leaf packs actually have some fubar set-up like this.

 

Yeah most likely the case. The smart thing would be to cut all like yours and reinstall new retainers. I'm surprised no one seems overly anal about it either, haha.

I'm about to install the Icon AAL and was concerned the 1.5" with my weight wouldn't actually be enough and I'd need the extra height from the overload...but the thought of seeing the leaf's interrupted by the nut seems too wrong.

 

Hs aal keeps ebrake retainer in place/ no cutting