Leaf spring clamp bolt necessary?

I have the Icon 3 leaf progressive AAL and the bolt for the leaf spring clamp is making contact with my gas tank strap. The suggested solution seems to be flipping this bolt around so the bolt head is facing the gas tank instead of the the nut and excess threads. I was planning on doing this but was also wondering if this bolt is even necessary?

Will removing this bolt potentially lead to the leaves moving out of alignment? The clip will still be there since it is riveted into the bottom leaf, so that should still keep the pack in alignment. I’m also worried about the nut and excess threads rubbing against the parking brake line if I end up flipping the bolt. Thanks in advance!

 

I had the same issue with my Wheelers Progressive AAL. It rubbed under a heavy load a few times. Had them about a year.



So I wrote to Wheelers and they recommended I remove the offending clamp since my overload spring clamp was providing the same function
Removed the clamps on both springs and repainted the rubbed spot last weekend.

A friend who has been running the same setup had the same issue, only his was much worse. He is going to have to replace his fuel tank strap.

 

They aren't needed. I took them off my All Pro Expos on my first gen because the top leaf was smacking it and making a loud clunk. Removed the bolt out of the clamp and drove it/wheeled it that way for over a year, no issues.

 

Thanks for the responses. I’m going to keep that bolt out which should resolve my rubbing/clunking issue

 

Did you do anything to your parking brake line to get extra clearance from the leaf pack? Mine is rubbing against the clamp quite a bit rn

 

I readjusted the parking brake line clamp slightly so it would not dig into it. No issues so far.

 

Do you mind showing what you did? Did you add a spacer to the line clamp?

 

No spacer.


You must have an older set of Icon AALs since they did move the clamp back towards the axle. But Icons AALs are made to use without the overload. Hope that makes sense to you.

 

Sent you a PM