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Might seem like an odd question and pretty sure common sense prevails but I'm reassembling the rear suspension on my 1997 F250 HD PSD, 8800 lb GVWR.with air bags, 16,000 lb hitch, and goose neck mount
I replaces all hangers, brackets, shackles, bushings and U-Bolts and looking for advice on re-assembly/tightening sequence. The goose neck mount was never removed but both the mid-ship tank crossmember was replaced along with both fore and aft crossmembers for the rear tank. Those have all been tightened and the frame is nice and square measured by an old set of eyeballs.
As for the rear U-Bolts and leaf springs, I would think this makes sense:
Snug uo up all bushings and U-Bolts
Lowering truck to the ground on a level surface with no load.
Tighten and torque U-Bolts, pay attention to keping springs centered and not splaying out U-Bolt where wrapped around rear
Tighten front bushings
Tighten rear bushings
Seems pretty straight forward, just don't want to overlook something simple
Keep it simple. Just make sure you check all the bolts. It is easy to miss one. Once on the ground and tightened up, take it for a quick spin then check everything again.
then drive it for a few days and recheck ALL bolts for proper torque again. spring u-bolts will stretch and need to be rechecked 2-3 times over the first week or so of use.
then drive it for a few days and recheck ALL bolts for proper torque again. spring u-bolts will stretch and need to be rechecked 2-3 times over the first week or so of use.
Thanks for the tip,
Speaking of U-Bolts, I can feel and see the top leaf spring bracket bending and feels like the threads are beginning to pull at only 110 lbs.
The U-Bolts are fine threaded, unlike what was on there, from ATS and hi quality but from what I remember reading, the torque is 150-160 ft/lbs.
There's no way they will take 150 without stripping.
Although I didn't lubricate the threads, I didn't clean them either so pretty sure it had some protective film or oil on them from ATS.
Obviously that will affect torque
In case anyone is interested:
Fabricated some frame inserts for the tail out of 3/16". Frame wasn't that bad but wanted another 30 years out of it. Also refused to pay $300 for fore and aft rear tank crossmembers so made my own. Pretty happy with the old dog.
to be honest, i do not torque spring u-bolts. i just crank down on then with a 1/2 drive 3 foot breaker bar until i cant move them any more.
do that three times in the first two weeks of driving and they dont move after the third time.
