Spring Shackle Bolts?
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 6,948
Likes: 44
Grade 5 might be a little light. Use a grade 8, or better without going so strong that it becomes brittle. * should be fine, but pay attention to the shoulder on the bolt, and make sure it is not so long that the nut hits the shoulder before it is tight, and not so short that the threads are not exposed, and become damaged by the pivoting shackle.
The dealer still sells these fasteners, and they are not expensive. There are really only eight bolts that hold the springs to the entire truck frame.
The dealer still sells these fasteners, and they are not expensive. There are really only eight bolts that hold the springs to the entire truck frame.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
Definitely go with the Grade 8 bolts. I had trouble finding bolts at auto supply stores though. I talked to a a local suspension guy and we ended up going with the Grade 8 bolts. I echo 75F350's comment on ensuring you have enough bolt thread to properly torque the bolt down. Don't forget to go with high quality fender washers and lock washers. If you can't find the bolts anywhere locally, look at industrial suppliers such as MSC industrial Supply or Grainger.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,760
Likes: 8
From: Gadsden Purchase
Rant mode on :/
The stronger the bolt the better it'll hold the stuff together.
The grade 8 bolt versus grade 5 bolt business is a myth.
If you've seen where a grade 8 or L9 bolt broke off clean,,, it was subjected to a shearing or tension level that would have been higher than any grade 5 bolt could have handled either.
Stronger is stronger and grade 8 bolts are required to be stronger than grade 5 bolts.
Ok, that was learned from metallurgy class. :)
Next is from having been a railroad signal maintainer and power switches and the hardware on the points etc are maintained by the signal maintainer.
I throw away all them dangged split-ring lock washers!
They are nothing but a source of trouble.
Another source of trouble are washers in general.
If you gotta have a washer or spacer then you gotta have 'em. :/
But don't add any out of hand.
If you really want it to stay in place, like a trailer ball... double nut it!
Lived by that "load of crap;)" and found out my switch points could be changed out with the original bolts and nuts still in place. Those with lock washers and other added crap (and single nuts!) would soon need to be replaced and that sometimes takes the help of the guys in the track department, depending on which bolt it is.
Rant mode off :)
Flanged head bolts and flanged nuts are cool. ;)
YMMV
Alvin in AZ
The stronger the bolt the better it'll hold the stuff together.
The grade 8 bolt versus grade 5 bolt business is a myth.
If you've seen where a grade 8 or L9 bolt broke off clean,,, it was subjected to a shearing or tension level that would have been higher than any grade 5 bolt could have handled either.
Stronger is stronger and grade 8 bolts are required to be stronger than grade 5 bolts.
Ok, that was learned from metallurgy class. :)
Next is from having been a railroad signal maintainer and power switches and the hardware on the points etc are maintained by the signal maintainer.
I throw away all them dangged split-ring lock washers!
They are nothing but a source of trouble.
Another source of trouble are washers in general.
If you gotta have a washer or spacer then you gotta have 'em. :/
But don't add any out of hand.
If you really want it to stay in place, like a trailer ball... double nut it!
Lived by that "load of crap;)" and found out my switch points could be changed out with the original bolts and nuts still in place. Those with lock washers and other added crap (and single nuts!) would soon need to be replaced and that sometimes takes the help of the guys in the track department, depending on which bolt it is.
Rant mode off :)
Flanged head bolts and flanged nuts are cool. ;)
YMMV
Alvin in AZ
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
Likes: 790
From: Simi Valley, CA
FWIW: Ford used NO washers of any kind on the shackle bolts...just a special nut. Washers can wear down, that will loosen the bolts and cause the shackle bushings to wear out faster.
Last edited by NumberDummy; Mar 24, 2007 at 07:11 AM.
