Blown Out Icon RXT Leaf Bushings

Hey guys,

Four months ago I was stoked to install my newly purchased RXT leafs and after a big ordeal of replacing missing parts due to poor packaging I finally had them on.

A couple of weeks ago I noticed an occasional slight grinding/squeaking sound coming from the drivers side rear suspension. It has slowly progressed to a constant sound occuring on every bump and is loud enough to hear inside the cab at anything less than freeway speeds.

Second time under the truck today and I noticed the front bushings look like they have failed and are no longer centering the leaf pack. (Pictures are from the front of the truck looking rearward at the leaf pack mount)

Drivers side: Left side of leaf spring is rubbing inside of frame mount


Passenger side: Right side is nearly rubbing the inside of frame mount


Anyone else come across an issue with these leaf springs so quickly? Pretty disappointed that less than four months from install they are creating issues. I wasn't able to get any help from Icon over the phone so I emailed them pictures and am waiting for a response.

 

I'm not sure about the bushings themselves so hopefully someone else can pipe up and help out on the front ones. You put the correct leaf spring on the correct side, right? Also, did you replace the bushing or reuse the stock one?

 

According to Icons install instructions they are not driver or passenger side specific and there are no markings on the leafs themselves

 

Gotcha..... and did you reuse the factory bushings?

 

No they are the bushings that come pre- installed in the Icon leaf pack, hency my frustration at them lasting less than 4 months.

 

And I was considering Icon...

 

There are tons of positive reviews for these so it's possible these are just a fluke. At least that's what I'm telling myself...

 

I have noticed that mine are having issues centering as well, but are definitely not as bad as yours as they are not rubbing on anything. Mine were installed end of Jun’20 and have had a few Offroad trips with them. Performance has been excellent, but I was also frustrated by this. Let me know what you find out. I’d assume we could replace those stock Icon bushings with some Poly bushings but of course that is a decent amount of hassle.

 

My first thought was of upgrading to some better poly bushings but apparently the front bushings aren't replaceable on these leaf packs by design and nobody offers kits. It looks like it would take some custom bushings and creative removal of the ones currently installed.

 

I've chewed through one to the bushings on leafs, not Icon. There was/is a small burr left from manufacturing that destroyed the poly bushing.

 

How are your rear bushings..? My issue is only on my rear ones.

 

Interesting. What leafs were those?

 

My rears are fine as of now. Drivers side rear on the outer half of the bushing isn't sitting flush like the inner side but it's still keeping the leaf centered. Passenger side rear is perfect.

 

My RXT pack makes all sorts or squeaks and creaks even just getting in/out of thr truck or jumping up on the tailgate. I should probably look at centering of these bushings. Why couldn't they be pressed out and new pressed in?

 

Mine are custom Deaver v420s.

 

According to the local tundra/tacoma shop Icon's wrap around eylet isn't conducive to replacing the bushings. Not to mention the sourcing/making of a specific bushing .

They didn't say it couldn't be done, just that warranty should be persued before going that route.

 

I just ran out to look at mine. They are centered and not touching the frame. One side may be slightly off center but no where near making contact. Still creaky loud but I think my noise is in the shackle to frame mount.

 

Yeah I'm convinced this was a bad batch. I've read about dirt building up between the leafs and friction pads causing some squeaks so might try washing them out first.

 

I've also read that the what appears to be galvanized steel plates they come with aren't very good for noise between the leafs at the center pin. It doesn't bother me enough to custom make brass shims and pull the pack apart again. They're coated in wool wax and dirt, very messy.

hopefully Icon offers some resolution in this case, either a serviceable bushing, single leaf warranty or whole packs for you.

 

I don't picture there being enough movement in the center of the leaf pack to generate noticable squeaks so never thought that could be the cause. But a better material would be a welcomed upgrade.

I'm expecting some sort of resolution. Four months seems like an absurdly short time to claim it being a routine wear item.

 

Use some chain wax between the leafs. And then bounce in the bed or Offroad or really anywhere to flex out the springs to work the chain wax into the grooves really good. Mine were super squeaky for a long time and finally after the last Offroad trip they stopped squeaking. I think all the chain wax I had sprayed finally got worked in between all the leafs.

 

What chain wax are you referring to Colin?

 

This is what I used

$12 Maxima 74920 Chain Wax - 13.5 oz. Aerosol

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0012TZ1RU/ref=ppx_yo_mob_b_track_package_o0_img?ie=UTF8&psc=1

comes out as a liquid, then quickly drys into this waxy substance to ensure no dirt or other particles get stuck to it.

 

Cool, thanks Colin. Maybe I'll stop by for a lube job.

 

Anytime Warren!

 

I haven't noticed my bushings coming out but I had the bottom leaf break on passenger side. They've been on the truck for almost a year and a half. Honestly I'm regretting getting them because I had a 2" driver side lean with the leafs in option 2.

 

First time I've heard of that happening. Hope they warrantied that for you because that's not something you would expect.

A driver's side lean is prevalent on every tundra ever but 2" seems excessive. Not sure that would be a leaf spring issue though

 

They did warranty it and customer service was very good, but I've had multiple issues with my kit from them that I just eant something different.

 

Update:

Icon has warrantied both leaf packs and is shipping new ones to my door. Glad they didn't ship new bushings and make me deal with removal/reinstallation. I'll update when the new sets are installed.

 

Awesome! Glad they are taking care of you