Shifting Springs: Tighten U Bolts ?

[soggy60]

The leaf springs 'feel' as though they're shifiting a lot !

Can see leaves are askew; can see where they 'bang' the 'brackets' that are about halfway 'tween axle and frame mounts.

Put 'em on about 3 yr ago: 2 weeks after install, checked (applied a tad more) torque of nuts.

Thinking:
- frame on jackstands so axle hangs
- 'just' loosen nuts (1/8 turn, break rust tourque)
. . .maybe hammer leaves into a stacked alignment ?
- retorque to 100ish ft-lbs (FSM value range)

or should I just apply torque wrench as it sits on road ?

This shifting is bothersome as all get out: noisey and can feel it when leaves hit the 'bracket'

Oh, I know it's not knuckle bearings . . .and spring bushings are 3 yr old too....

Thanks,

Pete

 

[MountainCruiser62]

just to let you know its better to torque the u bolts with the weight on the axles, the springs will sit flatter than when suspended allowing you to tourque then down properly

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Yeah, they shift and make noise and I've determined there's nothing that can be done. I've tightened, re-torqued, greased and done it all again. I can see the shifting towards the ends of the leaves and have found the only thing that can silence them is grease and that works only for a short time.

 

[soggy60]

Thanks....that frikken noise....argggg....in wet weather, really bad !

Should I break the nuts 'just a tad' then torque
or just torque'm

 

[NorCal60]

torque 'em and take a bfh and straightin' them springs.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Mine are quiet when wet.
Same as when newly greased.
Pressure wash them and see if they sound better.

 

[Mace]

a properly torquedd spring shoudl not shift around as easily as you folks seem to be saying. If they do, you will end up shearing the center pin one day. And that sucks

In a SU truck, torque the U bolts with no weight on the axle.

in a SO truck, torque them with the vehicles weight on the axle

 

[Mark W]

X2 what Mace just said.


Mark...

 

[Cruiserdrew]

I am compulsive about proper torque, re-torquing frequently, and still I get occasional popping noises from my OME spring packs. Everything else is fine and tight, all the busing pins are lubed etc. Just curious, since it's only a minor annoyance.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

I've torqued and re-torqued and still get the popping, is there anything else it could be?

Do flipped u-bolts make any difference in torque values?

Like cdrew, everything is fine, tight and greased.

 

[Mace]

You sure it is the springs popping?

Leaves shifting slowly and slightly is common. Not the greatest thing in the world, but reasonably common.. That is why you have spring clips to keep them in place.

But noticing it a lot is not a good thing..

 

[Front Range 4x4]

I park in an underground garage so hear every noise amplified, the front noise disappears after power washing or greasing but always comes back. I can see where they've shifted on the outer ends but nothing by the u-bolts.

 

[D'Animal]

How are you spring bushings?

What nuts are you using for the U bolts? Are you running the Nylock type nuts, The long nut similar to factory or a regular nut with a lock washer?

Are the nuts loosening or are the u-bolts stretching?

Are the rubber pads still in the spring hangers or did you remove them?

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Springs bushings are all new, using 4+ u-bolt flip kit that has long nuts, no loosening. U-bolts stretching? If they were I'd be able to re-tighten which I can't so I'd say no to that as well.

Rubber pads are not used which was the consensus of people using the flipped u-bolts.

 

[Goode]

Seems odd...

Chris, I have nearly the same setup. I too did NOT install the rubber pads. And I have not heard or felt any movement. Only thing I hear is my bushings squeaking when grease gets out. Shortly after install, I did notice a leaf or two getting out of alignment on the rear. Very small amount. I whacked them back into place and retorqued. All has been fine since.

I guess this doesn't help ya in any way, but wanted to share...

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Thanks Goode,

I'll make another run at them, jack it up, whack anything that is out of line and torque it back up. If that doesn't make a difference I'll continue to live with it.

 

[soggy60]

Thanks for all you input:

My bushing mounts have grease fittings & I do grease 'em; however, one or two areas, the grease oozes out where nut-washer 'clamp' shackle; probably need to replace washer....

Nuts are big ( I da man! ) , err, I mean tall

Rubber pad kepts & used.

Poly, not rubber, bushings.

I can easily see the leafs askew, so as mace suggests & Mark seconds.

- Weight off , straighten springs - torque nuts