U-bolt fit

[R290]

I went to Betts and had them make me a set of U-bolts for Chevy D-60F. I asked for 3 1/8" for the tube side and a 4" for the pumpkin. They are all an 1/8 to 3/16 to big:mad3:
How much slop is to much? I put the bolts up tight to the axle tube and can wiggle them back and forth an 1/8". Are these ok to use since its the clamping force that hold the spring down? Or is there more to the holding power of a U-bolt
1/8" =.125 this one is .145 to big
Thanks

Craig

[uglyscout]

I had ther same thing happen when I had some made for my 14 bolt.... As I understand it now - most mandrel bent u-bolts come out oversized. So they usually make them a size down which ends up being perfect.

I took all mine back and wined until I got a better set.

[RustoleumWhite]

I was going to say the same thing. You ordered 3 1/8, you should GET 3 1/8. If its not way out of the way. Take them back, throw them on the counter and demand that they give you what you ordered.


Or possibly call them first, that way *in theory* they would be done and ready when you showed up.

[SCOUTMAN67]

They tighten down against the tube/housing when you torque the nuts down. I wouldn't be concerned about 1/8". Have you installed them yet to see how much they tighten down?


-Gary

[SSGTWC]

I second what Mark said!

The last 2 orders these guys (http://www.customsuspension.com/) have been exactly what I specified. Good customer service.

In fact the last order I made, I gave them the wrong lenghts. Well after I had them in hand, the realization of my fuck up occured. Next day I called and talked to the same guy I made the order with, and told him my fuck up. But instead of charging my CC again, he shipped the right ones to me free of charge.

just my .02

[R290]

They tighten down against the tube/housing when you torque the nuts down. I wouldn't be concerned about 1/8". Have you installed them yet to see how much they tighten down?


-Gary

I will installed them this week. If/when I order again I will tell them an 1/8 smaller then needed. Oh wait then they will build them to size and they will be too tight/small.

[Snoopy]

Thats normal, something about springback in the materials. Don't worry about it.

[Rock Tractor]

If they are over sized, then you've got to constantly be tightening them cause the metal will try to relax. You need a snug fit. Listen to the guys that ACTUALY wheel their junk.

[Snoopy]

Listen to the guys that ACTUALY wheel their junk.
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
I'm not going to say it.....
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:

[SCOUTMAN67]

If they are over sized, then you've got to constantly be tightening them cause the metal will try to relax. You need a snug fit. Listen to the guys that ACTUALY wheel their junk.


If you wheel your junk, you should be checking (& tightening) the u-bolts periodically anyway.

-Gary

[Snoopy]

As well as other bolts...

[Rock Tractor]

If you wheel your junk, you should be checking (& tightening) the u-bolts periodically anyway.

-Gary
Yes, But not every ten minutes:shaking:

If you use over sized Ubolts, they will relax/loosen and you will shear center pins.

Easy fix is to take a 4x4 block of wood, put it between the threaded end and use a beater on the rounded end to get it to the size you want.

[R290]

Yes, But not every ten minutes:shaking:

If you use over sized Ubolts, they will relax/loosen and you will shear center pins.

Easy fix is to take a 4x4 block of wood, put it between the threaded end and use a beater on the rounded end to get it to the size you want.


A fix I can live with. :D
Thanks Mike

[uglyscout]

Yes, But not every ten minutes:shaking:

If you use over sized Ubolts, they will relax/loosen and you will shear center pins.

Easy fix is to take a 4x4 block of wood, put it between the threaded end and use a beater on the rounded end to get it to the size you want.

I toss mine in a vise and crank down on the rounded end 'til they fit tight. You just need a good sized vise.

[oneton72gmc]

On top of what has been said, Fourwheel parts has a Dana 60 U-bolt kit for around $35, which is cheaper than having them made, plus you get the studs for the passenger side spring perch so you don't end up snapping a bolt off in the housing (seen a couple do that). Just a suggestion...

I would lean toward just tightening them, for me it would be an out of the way trip and time not spent installing and running them. They should tighten up (eventually), but how long that takes depends on your right foot and how often you tighten them.

[ih4ever]

plus you get the studs for the passenger side spring perch so you don't end up snapping a bolt off in the housing (seen a couple do that). Just a suggestion...

yeah ask scout 254 bout that...:flipoff2: :flipoff2: thats what had him sittin at the bottom of the hill on sierra trek

[R290]

On top of what has been said, Fourwheel parts has a Dana 60 U-bolt kit for around $35, which is cheaper than having them made, plus you get the studs for the passenger side spring perch so you don't end up snapping a bolt off in the housing (seen a couple do that). Just a suggestion...

I would lean toward just tightening them, for me it would be an out of the way trip and time not spent installing and running them. They should tighten up (eventually), but how long that takes depends on your right foot and how often you tighten them.

I had bought a Rancho kit a while back and took it back because they too were sloppy. I bought some from Pepboys using Billa's D60 bible numbers and they fit tight. I am running shims to correct caster and needed longer u-bolts. Thats why I went to Betts ( The Operator has not learned about spring back as Snoopy mentioned) I would like to find some studs, but have not found a good on-line source. Do you have a link to that $35 kit??

[ih4ever]

I would like to find some studs, but have not found a good on-line source. Do you have a link to that $35 kit??

just take your bolts down to your local hardware specialists and they should be able to get you a stud with the same thread pitch at the length you want.. i think scout 254 got his from blue torch fab

[scout254]

just take your bolts down to your local hardware specialists and they should be able to get you a stud with the same thread pitch at the length you want.. i think scout 254 got his from blue torch fab

Definitly use studs for the pass side, Dynatrac has some sweet 6" threaded studs that I'm running now:flipoff2:

I also used the superlift (#3418) front u bolt kit for the front chev 60. The superlifts studs were too damn long, but their ubolts fit nicely

[R290]

254 my studs arrived.:D

Do you lock tight these in? I read where people were using anti-seize on the thread so they could get them out later.:confused:

Also what Torque value 80 lbs?

Thanks

[scout254]

yup those are the ones, nice.

i did locktite them into the housing, but I cant remember the torque. 80 ft lbs sounds about right.

[Snoopy]

Use the old german specs.




















Gudentite!