Snapped the shock mount!

[N2BRK]

No show on the shock mount yet, but I figured I’d address the axle issue. I fabbed up some quick extenders, but when I removed the Deaver center pins they were bent badly. So I turned down some bolts and put the extenders on them instead. Now when I reassemble with the angled shim, I have full engagement through the axle bracket. I put the Caltracs lower mounts and u-bolts in. I’ll get off my ass and do the rest soon, lol.

 

[darkness]

Shameless plug of your butt?

 

[N2BRK]

Wife came home in scrubs. Vet tech. Got a hand tat walking by. Hahaha

 

[Chevy1925]

Most center pins are a grade 2 to shear in an accident and let the axle move. Torque the living shit out of your u bolts and recheck in a few hundred miles

 

[N2BRK]

I used grade 5. I read most are 5 or 8 and some light duty vehicles are 2, so I went down the middle. Plus, I had two nice bolts in my bucket

 

[2004LB7]

I used grade 5. I read most are 5 or 8 and some light duty vehicles are 2, so I went down the middle. Plus, I had two nice bolts in my bucket

I used grade 5. Only because it was the only one I could find in the needed dimensions

 

[N2BRK]

Most center pins are a grade 2 to shear in an accident and let the axle move. Torque the living shit out of your u bolts and recheck in a few hundred miles

I’m meant to ask about the torque comment. Are you saying to tighten to spec or above? My father made and installed leaf springs on big trucks and he’s always preaching to me that I need to tighten the ubolts with everything I can throw at them; spec be damned. Then beat on them with a hammer and tighten them even more.

I know he’s done this forever, but it doesn’t sit right with me.

 

[SoCalMike]

U-bolts I usually torque to a spec. But Im running over sized U-bolts from Cognito. I put the full weight of the truck on the axels and torque them. I think I went to 100 ft.lbs. I rechecked them a few days later and again a couple months later. GTG

 

[Chevy1925]

I’m meant to ask about the torque comment. Are you saying to tighten to spec or above? My father made and installed leaf springs on big trucks and he’s always preaching to me that I need to tighten the ubolts with everything I can throw at them; spec be damned. Then beat on them with a hammer and tighten them even more.

I know he’s done this forever, but it doesn’t sit right with me.

I think stock is like 130ft lbs. i go 20ft lbs more with lube on the threads. If they keep coming loose on me after checking them each time, they get the air fun till they quit turning.

 

[1FastBrick]

I had to look since I am about to do one. Not sure If Liability is the reasons they say not to reuse the U bolts or if it's a stretch issue. I have done it in the past with clean ones that have no signs of rust or pitting. Apparently 110 Lb-Ft is the spec. That being said, I know I reused a pair on my 1500 and that thing was hit in the rear axle. The doner truck the axle came from was wadded up hard in the front. I don't recall which set I used but what ever physically looked better. I know the biggest thing is to put the hardware on evenly with a U bolt so its not stressed more on 1 side. If I recall, I believe I ran them up evenly snug. Then I torqued them side to side in stages like 20-50-100. But that was like 15 years ago...

 

[N2BRK]

I’ve reused them plenty of times myself, despite knowing that you aren’t supposed to. I think the reasoning is because they are TTY in that they stretch when you install. But plenty of “sloppy”-er folks than me have used TTY hardware over and over.

This time I put new ones on, because they came with the Caltracs. I do install them evenly side to side, but also evenly front and back. Caltracs says 100ftlbs, and they are a finer thread than OEM, so I went to 100ftlbs. I’ll check them again soon. Don’t tell Dad. Hahaha.

 

[1FastBrick]

I am not saying its right or wrong, but obviously it has been done...
The new ones having a different thread pitch and finer may be why they are different spec.

What Dad Doesn't know wont hurt him... lol

 

[N2BRK]

I made a gauge so that I knew exactly where the OEM was welded. I just held the new one up and man is that a hell of an angle. Gulp!

 

[malibu795]

I made a gauge so that I knew exactly where the OEM was welded. I just held the new one up and man is that a hell of an angle. Gulp!

Yep they're not straight up and down in either direction

 

[N2BRK]

I finished up last night and towed my little enclosed trailer around today. Shes fixed

I towed the trailer to ride dirt but plans changed when I found this little girl wandering around the Pine Barrens. No collar and no registered microchip

 

[darkness]

Poor pup, she’s a cutie ?.

 

[1FastBrick]

Awe she is adorable

 

[N2BRK]

She’s sleeping in her crate right now. I’m searching the lost dog posts, but nothing. Maybe she was dumped ;(

 

[1FastBrick]

She’s sleeping in her crate right now. I’m searching the lost dog posts, but nothing. Maybe she was dumped ;(

Sadly, I think you are correct.

It happens all over. My friend adopted his the same way. Out cruising a fire road. In his case, he thinks they were breeding her at a puppy mill. She may also have been abused, definitely neglected. She was so thankful to have some one take her in. She has even been good with his children.

 

[TheBac]

Im far from a pitbull fan, but that dog looks like a gentle one.