on the front of an '85 f-150 do the lower studs that hold the spring cup in place take any lateral load? I know the lower half of the stud that's 3/4-10 holds the radius arm in place, but the 5/8-11 section, does it really ever have any forces exerted on it?

Justin

 

Laterally, yes because it holds the spring down on the seat.

 

Well, hold on now...

It does hold the spring down - but no side loads.

The radius arms and traction beams take all the side loads.

 

The radius arms are held onto the traction beams by the bolt, so the lower part of the bolt does take longitudinal forces.

 

yes, but of you use a longer bolt it does not matter because the radius arm is still on the very bottom of the bolt

 

I need to machine a spacer for my air springs because I will be installing lift coils. Does anyone know what the diameter of the outside of the hex nut is? Mine is covered by the seating cup for the airspring, and I cannot measure it. If it's possible, a measurement from one corner of the nut to the oppisite corner would save me a lot of math. Thanks guys.

 

IIRC the nut is either 1-1/8 or 1-3/16 across flats.

To answer the original question, there's quite a lot of free play in the spring mounting at both ends, so the fasteners will see very little to zero shear loading above the beam.

 

very well said......trhats wha ti was trying to say