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Heads Up - Warning To Check Bolts After Install

RyanbabZ71

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RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
Posted

Around 4K miles ago I installed the RC level kit and 3" rear blocks (after about 1K miles of driving I checked all the hardware to make sure it was still tight) . All went well no issues until this past Thursday. After picking my son up after work I noticed a loud noise (creaking) from under the truck. I would only hear it after releasing the break and on the initial pressing of the gas pedal (initial acceleration). Got home shook the bed couldnt duplicate. That night went and played basketball and the noise still persisted. My parents were visiting so when I got back to the house I had my dad come take a listen and I drove in front of the house. It was definitely rear suspension related. I sprayed some fluid film to see if that would recuced the noise. No go. On a hunch I decided to check the leaf spring U Bolts to see if they were tight. 2 bolts on each side had loosened up a bit (I did torque them down properly to begin with). I tightened them back up and the noise has since went away.

 

Just a take away after you install make sure to periodically check the bolts to make sure they didnt loosen up. Hope this helps someone out.

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

I had always been told that the axle u-bolts were torque to yield bolts (ie one time use only). This came up before when someone here was looking into ditching the block entirely to level the back out but I never looked into it further.

Silverado4x4 Senior Enthusiast

Silverado4x4

Posted
Posted

That will happen when the U bolts are not seated right apon install, it feals like there tight but once the axle moves around while driving the bolts will seat which in turn the nuts will be loose thats why you always go back and recheck the U bolts. I have used U bolts over and over again and never had a problem. That one time use is BS.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

Posted
  • Author
Posted
That will happen when the U bolts are not seated right apon install, it feals like there tight but once the axle moves around while driving the bolts will seat which in turn the nuts will be loose thats why you always go back and recheck the U bolts. I have used U bolts over and over again and never had a problem. That one time use is BS.

 

Re-read my original post, I did check them after 1K miles and they were fine.

BlackZ71Silverado Senior Enthusiast

BlackZ71Silverado

Posted
Posted
That will happen when the U bolts are not seated right apon install, it feals like there tight but once the axle moves around while driving the bolts will seat which in turn the nuts will be loose thats why you always go back and recheck the U bolts. I have used U bolts over and over again and never had a problem. That one time use is BS.

 

Re-read my original post, I did check them after 1K miles and they were fine.

 

 

 

What ft/lb did you torque them to? Doesn't make sense that you would have to check them all the time. You don't have to check the factory ones.

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted

I have a 3/4 drive 15/16 socket for a reason. You torque them to 74 ft/lbs. I'll torque them my way. $100 says mine won't ever come loose, by themselves. Learned the hard way once, never again.

RyanbabZ71 Senior Enthusiast

RyanbabZ71

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Posted

mine are 7/8"

 

chevytech, what is your way?

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted

Evenly, until my impact gun stops. Some of the old lifted trucks that I use to play with, that wasn't enough, that's where the 3/4 breaker bar and socket came out. Spit one lift block out, going down the road, one time and you won't set them to 74 ft/lbs ever again. I also never reuse u-bolts. The older ones were made of a light spring steel and once stretched (ever cut an old set off with a torch and wonder why they pop/bang/jump so much?) they're junk. The little that they do cost again, I'm good with spending, if need be just because of past experiances.

csheatz Senior Enthusiast

csheatz

Posted
Posted
Evenly, until my impact gun stops. Some of the old lifted trucks that I use to play with, that wasn't enough, that's where the 3/4 breaker bar and socket came out. Spit one lift block out, going down the road, one time and you won't set them to 74 ft/lbs ever again. I also never reuse u-bolts. The older ones were made of a light spring steel and once stretched (ever cut an old set off with a torch and wonder why they pop/bang/jump so much?) they're junk. The little that they do cost again, I'm good with spending, if need be just because of past experiances.

 

This sounds like my buddy "Its tight enough when the impact stops and a breaker bar double checks"..... Of course while pulling a 28' boat out of the water and I asked, did he put those out drives up? His timeless answer "Its not my boat! I was asked to pull it not check the out drives, besides if he left them down they will mod themselfs" :):mad:

Matt_ Senior Enthusiast

Matt_

Posted
Posted

u-bolts are 1 time use because they're rolled threads design to deform under torque. you'll never get the same holding friction after the initial use.

 

they're also cheap to replace. hell they hold the damn axle onto the vehicle.... for $10-$15 what are you saving??

 

Ryan, I think I have a spare set in my garage you can have. (though shipping would probably cost the same as just ordering a new set).

ChevyTech77 Senior Enthusiast

ChevyTech77

Posted
Posted
This sounds like my buddy "Its tight enough when the impact stops and a breaker bar double checks"..... Of course while pulling a 28' boat out of the water and I asked, did he put those out drives up? His timeless answer "Its not my boat! I was asked to pull it not check the out drives, besides if he left them down they will mod themselfs" :mad::crazy:

Thanks for the blind assumption of my brain capacity.

 

The outdrive on my boat doesn't have any marks in it from the boat launch, thanks. :)

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