CHECK YOUR SHACKLES!!!!!

[NCFischers]

I was just doing some routine maintenance and checked the nuts on my recent wet bolt install. We took one trip for a total of 320 miles since we installed them. A few of the bolts were loose. When I installed them, I put the zerts toward the inside and the knurls didn't seat all the way into the shackles. They seated all the way on the trip and the nuts were loose. Keep checking all your wet bolts until they seat themselves and then keep checking them on a routine schedule.

[richfaa]

Right... Checking those bolts are a maint requirement and is in the dexter manual. I never read the manual or did the maint and my bolts came loose causing a big repair bill and a trip delay. A passing trucker saved our butts by pulling us over.

[H. John Kohl]

Jim,
Glad you caught it. Thanks for the reminder.

[bob n pam]

We echo John, thanks, Jim, for the reminder.

[Jay Bird]

I will check mine tomorrow. If I am correct they should be torqued to 35-40 lbs.

[NCFischers]

They need to be tightened until the nut is snug against the shoulder of the bolt. Until the knurls seat themselves all the way, it's difficult to do that.

[richfaa]

At the fall rally they said 60 lbs.

[Pete Hanson]

Thanks for the reminder Jim. It's on the checklist now.

[8e3k0]

I made sure my bolt heads were seated, then I tack welded the head to insure the bolt will not move or come out if the nut happens to loosen.

[KathyandDave]

Is there some kind of tool that presses the bolts into the holes? Are the "knurls" and "grooves" called "splines"?
Also, I've noticed that the inside span of the hangers is greater than the width of the leaf springs, so to tighten the bolts there, one would have to deflect the hanger to touch the spring. Not a good idea, I'm thinking, so what do you do, put washers in between the hanger and the spring? Double nut the bolt and let the spring slide from side to side?

[NCFischers]

Dave,
The bolts have shoulders on them so the nut will only go so far. Some of the shackles bent in slightly when I did the install but that has helped the knurls seat themselves. After a short trip (360 miles) all the bolts have seated. I tried beating on the bolts when I installed them but they would only seat 1/2 way.
Jim

[DarMar]

I received an email from Gary Wheeler of Morryde stating shoulder bolts need to be torqued to 40 lbs.

[richfaa]

Gary Wheeler is a great guy but he is a salesman.Call Ben Wiginton, he is the service manager.. They told us 60 at the rally.. Actually I think they said 40 to 60 but recommended 60... Did I hear right?????

[8e3k0]

60 foot lbs is a wee bit high for that type of bolt, 7/16 fine. 40 to 45 is plenty even if they are of grade 8 strength. If the threads are stripped you then loose all reassurance of of what that nut and bolt is to provide.

[Jay Bird]

The U bolts were to tighten to 60 lbs. I was told 40lbs for the schakles.

[8.1al]

Dexter specifies 30-50 for the wet bolts. Where you connect to the Morryde may be different, but it sounds like salesman Gary was in the ballpark

[richfaa]

From the dexter manual , page 59, that I never read and paid the price.

Suspension fastener torque value


3/8 U bolt Min 30 max 50
7/16 U bolt Min45 Max 70
1/2 U bolt Min 45 Max 70
9/16 U bolt Min 65 Max 95
5/8 U bolt Min 100 max 120

[DarMar]

I concur with Jaybird, from what information I have received. Can we get a consensus on that?

[8e3k0]

Jaybird is correct on torque values.

[blarkman]

If Morryde says their specs say 40 why would you use dexters???