OME Leaf pack popping after install

So yesterday, I installed the old man emu rear leaf pack and afterwards I had this horrible popping noise whenever my rear suspension moved. It happened when I was taking off from a stop, when shifting (my truck is a manual), turning, and over bumps. So I got out, bounced it while feeling around and felt the popping at one of the brackets that holds the leaf in line (more specifically the one directly in front of the axle, additionally, it didn't seem to come from the axle, u-bolts, or u-bolt bracket). Since it didn't seem dangerous, I drove about 20-30 miles. Since then it has subsided almost completely. I still feel and hear it when the rear suspension flexes (pulling into a driveway quick). Any ideas? Just "settling?"

Additional notes I don't feel are related but could help anyone readying this with more info. I am a mechanic by trade. I specialize in Diesel engines, not suspension, but I installed everything to the best of my knowledge correctly. I installed all the new parts. I did torque the u-bolts in the air but all other components were torqued to spec on the ground after bouncing her a couple times. Additional to the OME rear springs, I also installed toytec boss shocks, the proportioning valve bracket, 2.5" lift spacers in the front, and the 1" front diff drop kit. Very happy with it other than the popping.... I will be calling toytec tomorrow (Monday) but figured id ask the awesome community what they thought.

 

After an OME install on a Land Cruiser, there was a squeaking/popping sound. Took forever to find it, after double and triple checking diff drop/bushings, springs, etc. It ended up being the upper shock mount bushings I had tightened down to tight. Backed off the nut a little and there was beautiful silence.

 

I hope this isn't the case because the torqued all the shock bolts to 53 ft/lb which is spec....

 

Yeah, I think with the poly bushings that were used with the kit may require less torque than the traditional rubber. It was quite a few years ago and I've installed others since and haven't had it happen again. So I dunno man. Might be easy enough to just back off that nut on the top of shocks to see what happens. Prolly not your problem though. Who knows.
Nice to have mechanic based minds around here. Let us know what you find out.

 

the shocks dont have poly bushings, they're normal rubber. The shackles have poly bushings. I called toytec today. Well see how they want to handle it

 

Got it. Keep us posted.

 

Called OME yesterday. They said to put some grease between the leaves and they're going to send me the plastic guides for the brackets (they were damaged in shipping but I really didn't think too much of it). We will see where it goes from there

 

Did you ever figure out what the problem was? I've had my OME Dakars and shocks on for about 5k miles now and the rear has started popping bad over any small flex even pulling in and out of driveways. I contacted arb but they are taking their sweet time...

 

So mine were popping right from the get go but stopped within 50 miles. When I called, they asked about the bracket guides (those pieces of plastic inside the brackets that keep the leaf pack lined up) and I told them the truth, they were all jacked up from shipping. They sent me new guides and I haven't heard anything from the leafs since. I suspect the leaf pack was binding in one of the brackets and either destroyed whatever plastic was in there, something "wore in" with movement, or the leaf pack needed to realign itself from being jostled from shipping. I have put a few thousand miles on them and flexed the hell out of them while wheelin. No more issues.

If I were you, I'd loosen and retorque everything on the ground. If it still pops, see if you can have someone bounce the truck while you feel around for the noise. Typically you can feel a pop if you put your hand/fingers on the part its coming from. Check all those alignment brackets. My popping was from the driver side one directly in front of the axle.