1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site
    Quick Links: Lets talk Brakes I am such an idiot Preventative measures for failure of secondary air pump Strange noise/oil fixes, but where is the oil going??? 2015 audio upgrade Can you use the same type of oil for Front / Rear Diff's & Transfer Case

Wheelers 3 leaf AAL issue with install

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016.

Page 1 of 4
  1. Jul 31, 2016 at 11:31 AM
    #1
    Tectonic

    #1
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Another install, another dumbfounding problem :frusty:

    I'm installing the Wheeler's Offroad progressive 3 leaf pack to my stock springs (3 leaf stock pack, leaving out overload). I've followed their instructions, placing the short half of the aal forward, but the other side is now directly under the factory rebound clip! (See picture). How have I never heard of this happening in all my hours of reading install reports? Should I just grind off the factory clip since the aal has one?
     
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #1
  2. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:23 PM
    #2
    ducati

    #2
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    Have a picture? I've installed a few of those and don't understand the problem you have. Shouldn't have to grind anything off though.
     
    ducati, Jul 31, 2016
    #2
  3. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:28 PM
    #3
    Tectonic

    #3
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Yeah looks like my pic didn't post. Here's what I've got

    image.jpg
    image.jpg
     
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #3
    ducati[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:32 PM
    #4
    ducati

    #4
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    That clip won't move? I don't remember that being an issue when I did mine. I have a full leaf pack now, so I can't even go look at what I did. Sorry I'm of no real help. I'll keep skimming some posts to see if I can find any info.
     
    ducati, Jul 31, 2016
    #4
  5. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:35 PM
    #5
    ducati

    #5
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    ducati, Jul 31, 2016
    #5
  6. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:36 PM
    #6
    ducati

    #6
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    I guess you do get rid of the other one...
     
    ducati, Jul 31, 2016
    #6
  7. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:37 PM
    #7
    Tectonic

    #7
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Thanks Ducati. The only thing I've found like this was on a tundra forum. The clip is riveted to the stock spring, so going to have to cut it off I guess. Just strange that my setup is somehow different! It's a 2012 DCSB, bought used but I'm pretty sure these are standard stock springs. Almost seems like I have more retaining clips than others (4 for each leaf pack)
     
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #7
  8. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:39 PM
    #8
    xJuice

    #8
    xJuice My spoon is too Big!

    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2007
    Member:
    #3208
    Messages:
    9,891
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Josh
    N. Texas
    Vehicle:
    19 Tundra MGM
    TRD Front & Rear Sway Bar, TRD Pro LED Headlights, Undercover SE, Rear diff. Relocate, console organizer, debadged, color matched handles, mirror caps, and grill
    The AAL seems to have those clips at different distances from the ends. Can you flip it around or are they side specific already? Not sure if maybe the leafs are different lengths on each side.

    edit: nvm you already addressed this in the OP
     
    xJuice, Jul 31, 2016
    #8
  9. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:41 PM
    #9
    Fitz235

    #9
    Fitz235 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2015
    Member:
    #151142
    Messages:
    2,133
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    New Hampshire
    Vehicle:
    Black '22 DCSB TRD Offroad 4WD
    - TRD T4R Pro Wheels - TRD Lift Kit - TRD Skid Plate - 265/70/17 Toyo Open Country 3's - OEM Bed Lights - OEM Bed mat - Alpharex Tail Lights - TacomaBeast LED Interior Lights - Green Lane Offroad Aluminum Sliders - Place Holder for More Bad Financial Decisions...
    I have no experience with these, so take it for what it's worth. It looks like they are backwards to me. It looks like they would fit if turned around.
     
    Fitz235, Jul 31, 2016
    #9
  10. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:42 PM
    #10
    Tectonic

    #10
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #10
    ducati[QUOTED] likes this.
  11. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #11
    Tectonic

    #11
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Wheelers instructions say short side up front. Even if they were reversed it would have the same issue with the retaining clip on the other side
     
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #11
    ducati likes this.
  12. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:44 PM
    #12
    ducati

    #12
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    No problem. Glad there was a solution!
     
    ducati, Jul 31, 2016
    #12
  13. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:46 PM
    #13
    Fitz235

    #13
    Fitz235 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 17, 2015
    Member:
    #151142
    Messages:
    2,133
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Rob
    New Hampshire
    Vehicle:
    Black '22 DCSB TRD Offroad 4WD
    - TRD T4R Pro Wheels - TRD Lift Kit - TRD Skid Plate - 265/70/17 Toyo Open Country 3's - OEM Bed Lights - OEM Bed mat - Alpharex Tail Lights - TacomaBeast LED Interior Lights - Green Lane Offroad Aluminum Sliders - Place Holder for More Bad Financial Decisions...
    Yeah, I just started to read the thread where the other guy ran into the same issue. At least now you know.
     
    Fitz235, Jul 31, 2016
    #13
    Tectonic[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  14. Jul 31, 2016 at 12:47 PM
    #14
    TACO TX

    #14
    TACO TX Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2012
    Member:
    #87962
    Messages:
    2,309
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Kelly
    Denison ,Texas
    Vehicle:
    2017 DC TRD Off Road 4x4(Barcelona red)
    Weather tech liners, Ranch Sierra truck cap
    Glad I saw this as my 15' has the the new springs and this was my plan in the future.
     
    TACO TX, Jul 31, 2016
    #14
  15. Jul 31, 2016 at 6:02 PM
    #15
    Tectonic

    #15
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Might as well put this to rest in case someone else comes across it.

    I ended up cutting off one of the rear leaf clips, which was a real PITA given that the tools at my disposal were a rotary tool and drill.

    I started by cutting off one side of the clip with the rotary tool:

    image.jpg

    Then I could slide the lower leaf over and get to work drillin out the rivet from the top:
    image.jpg
    I worked it with the drill and rotary grinder until I eventually put an old drew driver in it and hit it with a hammer to pop it through. Others have mentioned grinding the rivet from the bottom, but this seemed easier.

    After that it was back to regular ol' aal install.

    Before: image.jpg

    After: image.jpg

    Super happy with how it rides. Much better than single aal imo. Also glad that I'm not nose-high anymore. I think Wheeler's Offroad is aware of this issue, given what was said in the post Ducati linked to above. I'm going to suggest they mention it in the install instructions... Would have saved me some grief. That being said they have been a pleasure to do business with.
     
    Last edited: Jul 31, 2016
    Tectonic, Jul 31, 2016
    #15
    HoosierTaco06, Fitz235 and nilepoc like this.
  16. Aug 1, 2016 at 1:40 PM
    #16
    lemons

    #16
    lemons LOCO 4X4

    Joined:
    May 5, 2013
    Member:
    #103567
    Messages:
    931
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    07 TRD DC Offroad 4X4
    Icon coil overs W/King 14 inch 700lb springs and super bump bump stops, Allpro Expo leaf springs, Allpro Ubolt kit W/timbren Bump stops, Dif Drop Kit, Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust, Badges painted Rust-Oleum bed liner, Color Matched TRD Sport Grill W/Grille Craft Insert, TRD seat covers, Weather Tech Floor Mats, Flyzeye's , fog light anytime mod, ABS Off mod, ATO skid plates, ATO rear H/C bumper, BAMF sliders w/kick out, CBI front bumper, Engo 10000lb winch, Rigid D2 foglights, Piaa 510 fog lights, cobra CB w/firestix antenna, AFE snorkel
    Are there any issues if you install the aal with the long side to the front instead?
     
    lemons, Aug 1, 2016
    #16
  17. Aug 1, 2016 at 2:08 PM
    #17
    Timberland Taco

    #17
    Timberland Taco Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2013
    Member:
    #96730
    Messages:
    210
    Gender:
    Male
    Berlin, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2013 V6 6-speed 4x4
    Bilstein 5100's set at .85, OME 885x coils w/ 1/2" top plate spacers, Total Chaos UCA's, Wheelers 1.5" HD 3 leaf progressive AAL w/ factory overload leaf, DT Pipe Bomb Ypipe, Vibrant resonator, Magnaflow pro series catback system, URD Short Throw Shift Kit, Debadged, BHLM, BTLM, 6000K BiXenon Headlights & Fogs.
    Mine was like this too on install, I grinders off one of the brackets:thumbsup:
     
    Timberland Taco, Aug 1, 2016
    #17
    Tectonic[OP] likes this.
  18. Aug 1, 2016 at 6:43 PM
    #18
    Tectonic

    #18
    Tectonic [OP] Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2015
    Member:
    #151695
    Messages:
    277
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Tucson, AZ
    Vehicle:
    12 TRD Sport DCSB 4wd
    Bilstein 5100 all around OME 884 Wheelers 1.5" 3 leaf progressive aal 255/75r17 Hankook Dynapro ATM ARE camper shell Hella Sharptones (4)
    Not sure, I figured I might as well do it right. I'd ask the Wheeler's folks. To be honest I think I would have had the same problem flipped around.
     
    Tectonic, Aug 1, 2016
    #18
    YotaDan and lemons[QUOTED] like this.
  19. Aug 2, 2016 at 7:14 PM
    #19
    ducati

    #19
    ducati thie-trickster

    Joined:
    Nov 23, 2012
    Member:
    #91667
    Messages:
    343
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Carlsbad, CA
    Vehicle:
    2013 DC 4x4 Black
    Icon coils, Squeaky dakars, Thule rack, tinted windows, weathertech rain guards, Demello off road front bumper, warn winch, shok sound deadening.
    Looks good buddy, and yes, wheelers is definitely the place to buy from. Dan is very helpful and extremely knowledgeable. Side note, I miss my non squeaky aal, haha. I will get around to fixing my squeaky leaf pack.
     
    ducati, Aug 2, 2016
    #19
    YotaDan and Tectonic[QUOTED][OP] like this.
  20. Aug 2, 2016 at 7:22 PM
    #20
    crashnburn80

    #20
    crashnburn80 Vehicle Design Engineer

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    Member:
    #156893
    Messages:
    14,600
    Gender:
    Male
    Kirkland, WA
    Vehicle:
    2003 DCSB TRD OR
    Go Hawks!
    I think there are 2 different version of the 3 leaf AAL, and early model (that interferes) and a late model (that clears). I did not run into this issue using the Icon 3 leaf AAL, but another member did using the supposed same Icon AAL purchased earlier.

    Check out the comments in my thread starting here:
    https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/baja-tx-pro-kit-icon-aal.385619/#post-10572025
     
    crashnburn80, Aug 2, 2016
    #20
    ThatguyJZ, Tectonic[OP] and TACO TX[QUOTED] like this.
Page 1 of 4

Products Discussed in

DuPont Non-Stick Dry-Film Lubricant Aerosol, 14 oz( bottle color may vary)
$18.07
To Top