Hello and thanks for taking the time to read this. I am working on my Ranger and have swapped out the leaf spring mounts/bushings/u bolts but when the u bolts have been torqued down, they are going outwards... I reused the old plates but new u bolts/etc. Any thoughts? Was told this was ok as long as it was torqued down properly.
Video for reference: https://youtube.com/shorts/xVG0xT_yHUc?feature=share
It looks like the U-bolts aren't seated properly.
Hard to say without a good photo/footage of the axle tube, but if the bottoms are too close together (angled inward), then of course the bolt tips will point outward. Are they the same diameter/dimensions as the OEM hardware? And most importantly: are the same strength rating, or are they cheap hardware store bolts?
Sorry for the late reply, They were ones from rock auto, they definitely were not the same as the ones that came off. The originals slid on and off no problem but these are a very very tight fit getting them on the axle, (the bolts were not wide enough) and I had to hammer them lightly in place (probably what is causing the issue, since it would make the bolts go outwards like that). I have just been having trouble finding the right OEM bolts for this damn truck, know any reputable ford OEM parts dealers? Thanks for the help.
It appears like the spring plate may be installed incorrectly, ie, 180 degrees out, or those are the wrong u bolts, or they are over torqued.
Damn. I used anti seize and torque it to spec and those u bolts are from rock auto.. I actually had to hammer them to fit on (too tight). Should I try to reinstall using OEM u bolts without anti seize? Thank you
They are also clearly way too long. Wrong bolts. Absolutely use an anti seize compound. I always do on exposed fasteners.
Torque is always specified dry
Ok thanks doc, just heard mixed things about using anti seize and torquing correctly.
Sorry guys I am just now logging on and seeing these replies, so I should not use anti seize? I am just going to go to my ford dealership tomorrow and order OEM u bolts and a new plate (instead of re-using the old one). Heard that is more than likely the problem and that the anti-seize can make me over-torque them as well.
@doc, you mean 90deg? A photo of the top of the plate would be really helpful here.
I can't tell from the picture. Maybe 90 degrees, maybe 180 degrees. Something is definitely wrong. I'd just use the oem ones.