Bent Ubolt
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
Bent Ubolt
Hey Everone,
I just did the front leaf springs on my truck. 97 F350 CCLB. I tightened the springs to 130 ftlbs, the shackle to frame at 150 ftlbs, and the ubolts to 110 ftlbs. The passenger side got all bent and crazy. I haven't driven it yet. Is it a bad idea to run it like this?
Thanks,
Bill
I just did the front leaf springs on my truck. 97 F350 CCLB. I tightened the springs to 130 ftlbs, the shackle to frame at 150 ftlbs, and the ubolts to 110 ftlbs. The passenger side got all bent and crazy. I haven't driven it yet. Is it a bad idea to run it like this?
Thanks,
Bill
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
I am pretty sure bent the bracket when jacking the truck up doing the leaf springs. I did one side at a time with the tires on. I jacked up the drivers side from the frame without disconnecting anything other than the shocks. I must have went too far and bent the plate.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
I agree. I need to get it sorted out before driving it regularly. I am ordering new U bolts today. The back u bolts look good but I will replace them.
My plan so far is to use some sort of spreader between the bent ubolts. Hopefully I can get enough space between the axle and bracket to get a shim or wedge in there.
I don't want to bend or dent the axle if I pound a wedge in there. How beefy is the axle tube?
My plan so far is to use some sort of spreader between the bent ubolts. Hopefully I can get enough space between the axle and bracket to get a shim or wedge in there.
I don't want to bend or dent the axle if I pound a wedge in there. How beefy is the axle tube?
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 8,476
Likes: 37
From: Madison, WI
Your concern is about getting it apart with it bent like that? Can you get a cutting wheel on the shank that's bent, just above the plate? Or maybe loosen/remove the nuts and cut off just _below_ the plate?
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
I will chop the ubolts to get them off.
I was thinking I might bend the ubolts with a spreader to try and flatten out the bracket. I need to bend the bracket or do something so the new bolts don't bend out of shape. It seems like they would weaken if they are bent.
What do you think about this?
If I can't bend the plate flat, I put a flat rectangular metal piece with two holes under the bracket and bolt it on. Something thick that won't bend so the bolts will be kept straight.
I was thinking I might bend the ubolts with a spreader to try and flatten out the bracket. I need to bend the bracket or do something so the new bolts don't bend out of shape. It seems like they would weaken if they are bent.
What do you think about this?
If I can't bend the plate flat, I put a flat rectangular metal piece with two holes under the bracket and bolt it on. Something thick that won't bend so the bolts will be kept straight.
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Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
The plates are welded on and they are not available. I will limp it down to the shop that does my alignment tomorrow and see what they say.
The truck has been getting some love after it was recovered. Once I get the ubolts sorted out it is going to be awesome. I just finished the banks intercooler install, tru cool trans cooler, python remote start, and hydra chip. New front leaf springs and billsteins all around. I just an appointment to get the door jams, wheel wells, and corners painted next week.
I am going to be able to do 80mph up I70. I can't wait.
The truck has been getting some love after it was recovered. Once I get the ubolts sorted out it is going to be awesome. I just finished the banks intercooler install, tru cool trans cooler, python remote start, and hydra chip. New front leaf springs and billsteins all around. I just an appointment to get the door jams, wheel wells, and corners painted next week.
I am going to be able to do 80mph up I70. I can't wait.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 222
Likes: 30
Ok, went to my shop today. They said I could run it no probs. I can't really do that, but I have a plan.
I am going to get a thick peice of metal with two holes to go under the bent bracket.
I am going to cut off the old u bolt. I will use the threaded part of the old ubolt and two nuts to compress the thick peice of metal and the bracket back in place. Once the bracket is back where it wants to be, I will install the new U bolt with new metal piece.
I am going to get a thick peice of metal with two holes to go under the bent bracket.
I am going to cut off the old u bolt. I will use the threaded part of the old ubolt and two nuts to compress the thick peice of metal and the bracket back in place. Once the bracket is back where it wants to be, I will install the new U bolt with new metal piece.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 175
Likes: 1
From: west coast canadafishing
plate bent
I would just get a piece of heavy steel plate 1/2 " 0r heavier thickness big enough to cover [under the bent plate] & use a big heavy C clamp & squeeze the 2 to-gether . It will straighten out. & of course you will have to remove the front u-bolts friskyjake
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2012
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From: Southern West Virginia