The Ford Barn

41Fordor · 10-23-2011, 12:29 PM

Hi All

I replaced the anti-squeak pad when I bolted the axle back on. The replacement from Macs is a thick piece of canvas webbing. I cut the hole for the leaf spring bolt and secured the pad with electrical tape to keep it from moving. The head of the bolt is seating in the square cut-out in the front cross member.

The problem is I'm REALLY having to tighten the nuts with a breaker bar to get the cotter key openings to align. I tightened it as far as I dared and still couldn't get the cotter pins in so I backed it off. Is is possible to overtighten or strip these or am I just being a wimp?

Thanks!

ford38v8 · 10-23-2011, 12:52 PM

I suspect that your problem is that you haven't set your car down yet. The weight of the car will be a big help in pulling down the u bolts. I'm thinking the amount of force required to pull the spring down with only the u bolts would exceed the normal torque limits of the threads.

19Fordy · 10-23-2011, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 41Fordor

Hi All

I replaced the anti-squeak pad when I bolted the axle back on. The replacement from Macs is a thick piece of canvas webbing. I cut the hole for the leaf spring bolt and secured the pad with electrical tape to keep it from moving. The head of the bolt is seating in the square cut-out in the front cross member.

The problem is I'm REALLY having to tighten the nuts with a breaker bar to get the cotter key openings to align. I tightened it as far as I dared and still couldn't get the cotter pins in so I backed it off. Is is possible to overtighten or strip these or am I just being a wimp?

Thanks!

Your not being a wimp. "Google" U-blt spring torque. I tightened mine to 80 foot pounds, but this chart says 65. http://www.eatonsprings.com/ubolttorques.htm

1931 flamingo · 10-23-2011, 03:37 PM

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Tighten it up, forget about the cotter pins, for now. Drive it for a week or so, then retighten and insert pins. That thick canvas material is going to have to get "squished". JMO
Paul in CT

10-23-2011, 12:29 PM	#1
41Fordor Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cheyenne WY Posts: 187	Front Leaf Spring U Bolt Torque Hi All I replaced the anti-squeak pad when I bolted the axle back on. The replacement from Macs is a thick piece of canvas webbing. I cut the hole for the leaf spring bolt and secured the pad with electrical tape to keep it from moving. The head of the bolt is seating in the square cut-out in the front cross member. The problem is I'm REALLY having to tighten the nuts with a breaker bar to get the cotter key openings to align. I tightened it as far as I dared and still couldn't get the cotter pins in so I backed it off. Is is possible to overtighten or strip these or am I just being a wimp? Thanks!

10-23-2011, 12:52 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,646	Re: Front Leaf Spring U Bolt Torque I suspect that your problem is that you haven't set your car down yet. The weight of the car will be a big help in pulling down the u bolts. I'm thinking the amount of force required to pull the spring down with only the u bolts would exceed the normal torque limits of the threads. __________________ Alan

10-23-2011, 03:37 PM	#4
1931 flamingo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new britain,ct 06052 Posts: 9,390	Re: Front Leaf Spring U Bolt Torque Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Tighten it up, forget about the cotter pins, for now. Drive it for a week or so, then retighten and insert pins. That thick canvas material is going to have to get "squished". JMO Paul in CT