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09-24-2012, 02:07 PM
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#1
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Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Northport
Posts: 624
M.O.C. #12724
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'U' bolts again
There has been several threads about loose U bolts. It was disturbing to see something so critical being over looked. Well I have a new 2013 Mountaineer and while I thought it a waste of time, I checked the U bolts. Was very surprised to find them that loose. I'm wondering if the U bolts are prehaps stretching. Has any one that has tightened theirs sometime ago to re-check to see if loose again. I will be rechecking mine after a few pulls.
__________________
Paul Northport,AL W4XH
2013 358 RLT Mountaineer
2008 Silverado Duramax
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09-24-2012, 02:12 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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Once I tightened mine they stayed that way no mater how rough the roads. Mine were very loose when I bought the rig.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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09-24-2012, 02:50 PM
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#3
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Billings
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #12641
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Ours were VERY loose...not even 50ftlb and since we tightened them to 75ftlb they have been fine. Kind of scary isn't it! Thank goodness for this forum!
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09-24-2012, 03:06 PM
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#4
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by DQDick
Once I tightened mine they stayed that way no mater how rough the roads. Mine were very loose when I bought the rig.
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X2 agree, same here!
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Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
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09-24-2012, 04:00 PM
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#5
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Eastern
Posts: 1,155
M.O.C. #7270
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They are installed on the frame with no weight when the load is put on them the springs straighten out some and I think that is why the torque is less when you ck it. when I changed my axels I torqued them and then again when I put it back on the ground to make sure they were rite and they needed a little more. JMHO
Bobby
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09-25-2012, 06:13 AM
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#6
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Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Pahrump
Posts: 2,523
M.O.C. #1081
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Mine were a little loose but after I torqued them down it has been just fine. I have rechecked them a couple of times since the initial torgueing.
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09-25-2012, 10:23 AM
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#7
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North East
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #10758
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Thanks for the reminder, everytime I read a new post here, I remember to go check. All is well, but I did find a few bolts loose on the X-FACTOR.
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09-25-2012, 11:54 AM
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#8
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Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Navarre
Posts: 1,527
M.O.C. #9765
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Brought the unit home and someone posted the torque problem. Mine were scary loose. Mad as heck and needed to talk to someone so flipped a coin and called Dexter. Rep stated they owned it since they ship complete packages to Keystone and all KS does is bolt them up. Step torqued mine and still good 3 years later.
Mike
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09-25-2012, 12:06 PM
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#9
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Billings
Posts: 698
M.O.C. #12641
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Good to know that once you torque them they should be good to go for a long time! We started at 50ftlb and are now at 75ftlb per spec. Glad to hear I won't have to climb under the rig again for a while!
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09-25-2012, 01:39 PM
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#10
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Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: North East
Posts: 1,050
M.O.C. #10758
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by BusyCarol
Good to know that once you torque them they should be good to go for a long time! We started at 50ftlb and are now at 75ftlb per spec. Glad to hear I won't have to climb under the rig again for a while!
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Actually, I would think this should be on your 1 year checklist, depending on how many miles you pull. If its a lot, I'd check them more often.
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09-25-2012, 03:27 PM
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#11
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Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
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All U-bolts loosen to some extent, most trucks are intentionally overtorqued at the factory. This is because the spring pack will settle in, wear in, and loose powder coating and paint, which all inturn takes torque off the clamping pressure. All U bolt should be checked at 500 and 1000 miles after installation. Also, if you do suspension work, replace the U-bolts, once stretched they have lost strength due to torquing.
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10-01-2012, 06:21 AM
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#12
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Montana Fan
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Silverton
Posts: 489
M.O.C. #11144
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Borrowed a torque wrench from one of our techs this last weekend and checked all my U-Bolts. I was surprised to find that I had to torque them quite a bit to get to the 75ft lbs., but got it done and now I feel alot better having done that. Now if I can only get those G614's installed before I put in storage......
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10-01-2012, 03:43 PM
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#13
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Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Tipton
Posts: 3,646
M.O.C. #191
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According to Dexter at the National Rally, maximum torque on a half inch U-bolt should not exceed 70 foot lbs. Minimum torque should be at least 40 foot pounds.
Al
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11-14-2012, 08:21 AM
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#14
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Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Devon
Posts: 92
M.O.C. #12573
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Hey Guys:
Took delivery of 2013 Montana 3800RE 31August 2012 in Leduc, Alberta,Canada and hauled to Oliver, British Columbia before heading to Apache Junction, AZ, for winter. Saw posting on U bots and checked mine. ALL were loose so I torqued them to 65 ft lb.
Thank you for the heads up. We are new to Montana but not to RVing having been fulltimers for 7 years. The Montana Forum is one of the most useful tools I have found. THANK YOU
David ( Golferdave )
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11-14-2012, 11:55 AM
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#15
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Established Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Houston
Posts: 36
M.O.C. #12826
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So is 75 ft.lbs for all, or should I check before I re-tourque?
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11-16-2012, 07:11 AM
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#16
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Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
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I used 65 ft/lbs for my rig. The first time I checked, only a two out of the sixteen bolts were at that torque, however, the rest needed some amount of retorquing and there were a few that were very loose! Ever since I've done this, I check once a year and all of them have held the 65 ft/lbs just fine. I don't use my rig as often very much, so for you full timers or long timers I'd probably check more often unless the torque is holding, then maybe you don't have to check as often.
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11-16-2012, 09:40 AM
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#17
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Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
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I put all mine to 70 and had no problems until we went IS and got rid of them all together.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
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11-16-2012, 11:26 AM
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#18
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Montana Master
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fall Creek
Posts: 1,329
M.O.C. #3699
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I have checked mine many times and never have found any of the bolts loose. Why such a difference in different Montana's? Makes no sense to me, Any ideas?
__________________
Bob and Nancy Kassl Fall Creek, Wisconsin
2015 Montana 3440RL Legacy Edition, G614's, Pressure Pro TPMS, Dish Tailgaters
2016 GMC Sierra Denali 3500 CC SRW, Iridium Metallic, Duramax Allison Transmission
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11-16-2012, 12:08 PM
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#19
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Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: North Ridgeville
Posts: 20,229
M.O.C. #2839
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Mine were set at 40/45lbs from the factory.We are going to find out why that was.
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11-16-2012, 04:47 PM
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#20
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Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Oak Harbor
Posts: 1,530
M.O.C. #2471
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At the recommendation of a shop I trust, I loosened the U-Bolts, applied some "Blue" Loctite and torqued to specs (65 FT/LBS) in my case. No issues to date. I'm sure there will be those of you out there that will say the u-bolts will stretch and therefore I will never know if they loose. I guess time will tell.....but I feel comfortable with this fix.
Jack
__________________
Previous:2004 Mountaineer 325FKBS,2010 Montana 3455SA Now:2018 Bighorn 3575EL (SOB's ) Res. Fridge,W/D,Disc Brakes,Water Softener,Dish Tailgater PRO,LioN Batts, several mods.
2021 RAM 3500 Laramie.... "LOADED", 4x4, SB H.O. 6.7L, Aisin Trans, PullRite Super Glide Hitch, 52 Gallon Titan Fuel Tank.
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