Over torqued U-bolts

[High Desert]

Just discovered my Torque wrench is toast and has been for a while.
When I did my OME (three years ago) instead of cranking the u-bolt nuts to 90# they are probably more like 130+ #s.

Here's the question for you metallurgical types.
1. forgetaboutit; it's been three years and no problems so why worry?

2.. loosen the bolts and re tighten to the proper torque value? (then maybe cut off those threads I've left exposed all this time too)

Note: the popular opinion seems to be "never reuse u-bolts" does a loosening and re tightening amount to a "reuse" of the bolts? if so; then we are at #3 below. which I don't wanna do $$$...

3. trash the works and buy new..see note above.

Have at it..
hd



3. remove the U-bolts and start with all new?

 

[mwalls54]

I would just leave it since its bee there for 3 years.

 

[inkpot]

I would just leave it since its bee there for 3 years.

Howdy! X2 that. If you don't have a problem, then don't fix it. Are you SURE that it was toast 3 years ago? Unless your springs are bent backwards over the perches, or the nuts are at less than 90# now, leave it alone. If you decide to replace the ubolts, then consider going up a size or two. I went up 1/8" on mine, and I only had to rattail the holes on the spring plate just a little bit. Any good spring/suspension shop can make them up. John

 

[ntsqd]

I wouldn't re-use them, but as noted I wouldn't fix something until there's a problem.

 

[lovetoski]

You don't know when your torque wrench failed, so maybe the the ubolts were torqued correctly? (Maybe)

I agree with the other posts that if it's working fine, leave it. The only thing I'd add is to look carefully at the spring plate - does it look ok, is it warped, twisted?

 

[4x4Rugger]

leave it man, when its time to swap then swap, why ask for extra work im sure theres something else on your cruiser you can mess with besides some bolts that may or may not be too tight. dammmm i miss oregon...

 

[High Desert]

Cool

Yeah no problems with wrap around the plate. I was really only worried about the tension of the over torqued bolts, that maybe under load and flex would snap etc.

I know the wrench was bad when I put them on. I was torqueing to 90# and wrenced and wrenched with no "click". Didn't use it again for quite a while and then had it on a lower setting and it didn't click on that eilther...I've just let the u bolts go..pretty much thinking what you guys have put in...It's working so Drive On!

 

[ntsqd]

Just be glad that this wasn't con rod bolts that you were dealing with.
Failures of this sort are a good reason to not use a clicker unless you have it calibrated regularly, though I fully admit that a clicker is far easier to use.

 

[cruiser88]

Just dont use the U-bolts again..........and when you have them out next time just inspect the perches real good........but they should be fine