Just installed these FJ62 axles under my FJ60 to reverse a SOA lift, was tightening the u-bolts and noticed that the PS u-bolt perch is facked. I was thinking of running a bead to help brace everything or maybe just install a u-bolt flip kit? How screwed am I here?
That happened because the ubolt nuts were tightened to the FSM spec — which is only relevant for stock springs and ubolts. When everything is stock, the nut bottoms out at 90 ft-lbs or whatever it is and can’t screw down any farther because there aren’t any more threads.
When thicker springs are installed, the ubolt nuts can keep tightening and tightening and tightening till kingdom come and you’ll never hit 90 ft-lbs.
Instead you end up deforming the perch as you can see on yours.
I was lucky enough to realize what was happening before I mangled mine and only deformed one a little bit.
Yeah- in your case I’d install a u-bolt flip kit on that side. That thing looks scary.
That happened because the ubolt nuts were tightened to the FSM spec — which is only relevant for stock springs and ubolts. When everything is stock, the nut bottoms out at 90 ft-lbs or whatever it is and can’t screw down any farther because there aren’t any more threads.
When thicker springs are installed, the ubolt nuts can keep tightening and tightening and tightening till kingdom come and you’ll never hit 90 ft-lbs.
Instead you end up deforming the perch as you can see on yours.
I was lucky enough to realize what was happening before I mangled mine and only deformed one a little bit.
Yeah- in your case I’d install a u-bolt flip kit on that side. That thing looks scary.
That is easily repairable if you just want to get it running. Got find a piece of steel, reshape and weld.
The welding alone will harden it up well enough.
As above, just be nice to the U bolts. They really aren't going anywhere once bolted on, HULK torques not required.
Is that how dirty/grimy you left the axle when you installed it? Maybe clean it up a bit when you unbolt it.
In second look you might be able to sort that with a BFH. Little bit of tweaking and welded a bit of reinforcement
That is easily repairable if you just want to get it running. Got find a piece of steel, reshape and weld.
The welding alone will harden it up well enough.
As above, just be nice to the U bolts. They really aren't going anywhere once bolted on, HULK torques not required.
Is that how dirty/grimy you left the axle when you installed it? Maybe clean it up a bit when you unbolt it.
In second look you might be able to sort that with a BFH. Little bit of tweaking and welded a bit of reinforcement
I was thinking the BFH might sort it out too. Pissed I didn't notice it when the axle was out.
When the axle was out I hit it with a commercial hot pressure washer...it was much grimier. I debated painting it but decided against it. If I was going to go the extra effort of painting it I would've pulled the diff and bolts and cleaned everything up and it would've taken me 3 years to get it done.
This is going to be a daily driver/camping rig, and I live in AZ so I'm running it. I'll just buy the u-bolt flip kit and might even just weld the top part on for extra rigidity.
I have an amazing degreaser I got an local auto parts store. Bare metal is so much nicer to work on.
Spray on, soak for 10 min, rinse. Ubolt flip kit is a convenient work around for sure. Better end result.
That happened because the ubolt nuts were tightened to the FSM spec — which is only relevant for stock springs and ubolts. When everything is stock, the nut bottoms out at 90 ft-lbs or whatever it is and can’t screw down any farther because there aren’t any more threads.
When thicker springs are installed, the ubolt nuts can keep tightening and tightening and tightening till kingdom come and you’ll never hit 90 ft-lbs.
Instead you end up deforming the perch as you can see on yours.
I was lucky enough to realize what was happening before I mangled mine and only deformed one a little bit.
Yeah- in your case I’d install a u-bolt flip kit on that side. That thing looks scary.
I'm a big fan of the U-bolt flip kits for staying SUA, stock suspension or not. Put one on when I went OME and it's nice not having to worry about smacking a perch or bunging up a threaded U-bolt end on a rock.
That happened because the ubolt nuts were tightened to the FSM spec — which is only relevant for stock springs and ubolts. When everything is stock, the nut bottoms out at 90 ft-lbs or whatever it is and can’t screw down any farther because there aren’t any more threads.
When thicker springs are installed, the ubolt nuts can keep tightening and tightening and tightening till kingdom come and you’ll never hit 90 ft-lbs.
Instead you end up deforming the perch as you can see on yours.
I was lucky enough to realize what was happening before I mangled mine and only deformed one a little bit.
Yeah- in your case I’d install a u-bolt flip kit on that side. That thing looks scary.
@OSS , what is a good stopping point for tightening up the ujoint bolts on the flip kit? Is there a lower torque value or just get them as arm tight as can be? I have a kit for the front and rear I haven't installed yet.
If you use a standard long handle 1/2” drive torque wrench, you’ll likely bend stuff.
Since the flip kit doesn’t come with torque values, I personally would use a 1/2” ratchet wrench and tighten the nuts up tight. I know that sounds vague but the ratchet wrench has a relatively short handle and when you’re giving it a good pull - that’ll be enough.
Watch stuff as you’re tightening. You’ll see if you’re over tightening.
Then take the vehicle for a test ride around the block. Maybe drive off a curb or two then check the ubolt nuts again. Nothing is going to fly loose if the ubolt nuts are snug.
