Small metal plate under leaf pack?

I installed the icon 1.5” AAL and decided to replace the overload with the headstrong 1/2” shim since I was only getting an inch from the AAL (incorrect advertising on icons part). Anyway, I also kept the thin little metal piece that was originally under the overload. I figured Toyota put it there for a reason, so I kept it in. But, what is it really for, and do most people leave theirs in? I know a few guys who kept theirs in and saw on some YouTube vids of guys keeping it in. But what is it’s actually purpose, and should I leave it in or take it out? It’s already in there so I’m thinking I’ll probs leave it in. Thanks

 

It's a shim added to the leafs post '17's I believe, to reduce driveline vibes.

My 17 did not come with them, but when I had my leafs replaced as part of the noisy diff TSB, it was added at that time which was in 2018 at some point I believe.

 

I think the shim has a slight angle to it and is supposed to help with drive line vibrations.

 

I kept mine on when I put my icon 3 leaf in. No vibrations and no issues with it.

 

Gotcha, well I’m glad I kept it in then!!

 

Sweet! I figured Toyota put it there on purpose so I kept it in. Glad I kept it in! Also I highly recommend that headstrong 1/2” shim if your AAL isn’t the height you were looking for. I originally kept the overload in with the aal because I wasn’t getting the advertised “1.5 of lift”, but it was interfering with the aal brackets, and that headstrong 1/2” shim was the perfect solution

 

My July built 18 didn’t have that flat shim when I did my aal (only the u shaped shim between overload and pack). Originally didn’t put those in but after further work reinstalled those as it came- mine are pointing down, yours look pointing up.

I have the 1/2” hs spacer on my drivers side only to fix the drivers lean I had (was 3/4-7/8” difference). Then added 1/2” spacer/puck to my sumo springs on passenger side to even the gap from both side bump stop to frame. I don’t know if that’s the right thing to do for the lean, haven’t read anyone doing it like this or anyone telling me it’s wrong. I haven’t noticed any negatives since except my steering wheel is now not exactly centered and I have a slight pull. My theory is raising drivers rear slightly lowered passenger front and hence the slight pull/off center steering wheel (but when asked nobody commented)

drivers side


Passenger side

 

Little confused what you mean by “pointing up”? The OEM shim has a slight angle to it, and I’m pretty sure the thicker end faces the rear, and the thinner end faces the front and that’s how mine is set up, that’s how it came factory anyway

 

I’m looking at the pics you posted but I don’t even see the oem shim in your pack?I just see the 1/2” HS shim touching the axle, but don’t see the OEM shim in between them?

 

I first mentioned I didn’t even have the flat shim you mentioned on my 18- only the u shaped. Yours looks like it’s up as in the legs point up (mine was legs down stock)

look between your aal and stock pack. Maybe shim isn’t the right word to use

 

Ohh okay I see what you mean now. Sorry I misunderstood what you meant about the factory shims at first. I see what you mean, those little bracket/leg things on mine are pointing up while yours are pointing down. Must’ve been something they changed on the 19’s?

 

Mines a 19*

 

I’d lean towards just flipped on reinstall tbh. it’s in a cupped position now could hold water and grit rather than if it was down. It’s a tight ish fit but that’s the only negative I can think of. If it’s enough to actually matter is another story and I’m not sure if I’d even flip it unless I was opening it up for something else. Although I did open it up just to put mine back in (originally left out).

 

Yeah I’ll probably leave it the way it is for now unless I have to open it back up. It seems like a pretty tight fit so I’m not too worried, but if it does cause problems I’ll change it. Thanks for pointing that out, I didn’t even notice that