ICON Leaf Spring Issue

Carlos C · Feb 27, 2021

Hello!

Installed the ICON leaf springs on my 20 Raptor and now my steering wheel is off center to the right.
I left all bolts loose until the leafs were loaded then I torqued everything. The axle seems to be shifted back on the passenger side. I measured from the tire to the fender and its about 3" on the drivers side and 3.5" on the passenger. I know this will not be an accurate reading but a 1/2" definitely tells me it's off. It's also visually off center. I checked the 2 pins that line up on the axle and are perfectly seated. I also loosened the U bolts, front Leaf bolt and pulled the axle forward with a ratched strap to the frame. It moved a bit but not much. Only other thing I can do is loosen the U bolts plus the 2 bolts/pins that hold the leaf packs together and maybe it will shift enough when I pull the axle with the ratchet strap to the frame again. Any suggestions? think I've tried it all, maybe I just got a bad leaf pack with the holes punched off center. I will call Offroad Alliance and ICON on Monday if I don't get this resolved.

Thanks!
Bruno

snt505 · Feb 28, 2021

Off center before or after an alignment?

But also if you search around, even a frame to hub measurement which is technically more accurate, you'll find brand new trucks off the line off centered and multiple confirmations that it's normal. So unless you did that measurement before and after, it's hard to say how much you changed it.

The Car Stereo Company · Feb 28, 2021

are the springs in the right orientation? meaning are they both in the same direction?

CoronaRaptor · Feb 28, 2021

That sucks. Hope you get it resolved, any pics?

Edit: Looking at this install video, there's only one way to put them on.

Alysium · Feb 28, 2021

Mine was off center before installing the ICON RXT springs. After the installation, the axle is still off center.

Still sticks out a little bit on the passenger side. But the sticking out is more with the bed not being perfectly centered. It is not centered with the cab and its giving that axle off center visual effect on my truck.

The only issue i have with my icons right now is that it squeaks a bit and it seems to have flattened out more than i would have thought having it set up on option 1 (add 1 leaf).

flynford · Mar 1, 2021

Carlos C said:
Hello!

Installed the ICON leaf springs on my 20 Raptor and now my steering wheel is off center to the right.
I left all bolts loose until the leafs were loaded then I torqued everything. The axle seems to be shifted back on the passenger side. I measured from the tire to the fender and its about 3" on the drivers side and 3.5" on the passenger. I know this will not be an accurate reading but a 1/2" definitely tells me it's off. It's also visually off center. I checked the 2 pins that line up on the axle and are perfectly seated. I also loosened the U bolts, front Leaf bolt and pulled the axle forward with a ratched strap to the frame. It moved a bit but not much. Only other thing I can do is loosen the U bolts plus the 2 bolts/pins that hold the leaf packs together and maybe it will shift enough when I pull the axle with the ratchet strap to the frame again. Any suggestions? think I've tried it all, maybe I just got a bad leaf pack with the holes punched off center. I will call Offroad Alliance and ICON on Monday if I don't get this resolved.

Thanks!
Bruno

I've had this happen, there isn't much room for wiggle on the Raptor springs on the spring pad on the axle. I later realized that the presumption of the springs being manufactured in a consistent manner has now made me always check any leaf spring install with the center pin (Raptor case, just the front most pin/bolt) to the front center bolt hole. I had 1/2" variance which lead me to having a little bit of crab walking and steering wheel being clocked a little bit. Every manufacturer has been caught doing this at some point or other, perhaps some make this mistake more than others but it happens. As with most folks, having to do a job twice or in this case half since I only needed to swap-out one spring isn't fun.

Lew Weldon · Mar 1, 2021

Check out Alcan Spring, they can take care of you.

Carlos C · Mar 2, 2021

Hey guys, I meant off center in the wheel well. Not side to side.
It's called Thrust angle because the axle is not square with the frame and will dog track (drive down the road a little sideways) in my case maybe not much.
It can be fixed with alignment but with my slight OCD I think a 1/2" off is too much.

As Flynford mentioned there is not much wiggle room.
My next move will be to loosen the 2 pins holding the leaf packs and U bolts.
Take the load off then spray lubricant in between the leafs, ratchet strap the axle to the frame to pull forward and hopefully there is enough shift.

Thanks!

CoronaRaptor · Mar 2, 2021

Lew Weldon said:
Check out Alcan Spring, they can take care of you.

Welcome to the place. You should introduce yourself in the "newbie section", if you own a raptor post a picture of it there as well.

Carlos C · Mar 8, 2021

Problem fixed!

Loosened both the U bolts and the 2 bolts/pins that hold the leafs.
Sprayed WD40 between the leafs then pulled the rear end forward with a ratchet strap.
Retorqued the U bolts to 145ftlbs while loaded with the strap then hit the leaf bolts with the impact.
There was just the right amount of movement and my steering is now straight again and wheel centered.
Alignment time!

Thanks!

ICON Leaf Spring Issue

Carlos C

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snt505

Full Access Member

The Car Stereo Company

aka grumpy car stereo guy

CoronaRaptor

FRF Addict

Alysium

Full Access Member

flynford

Active Member

Lew Weldon

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Carlos C

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CoronaRaptor

FRF Addict

Carlos C

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