YEP..I have axle wrap!!

Interesting thread. Here is a link (pictures included) of someone that greased their slip yolk. They marked it for alignment, took it apart and back together again after greasing. They used a nylon zip tie to reattach the boot. It seems easy enough.

 

I saw this thread pop back up so I thought I should update it.

Turns out my spring clamp mod was only a bandaid fix. The real fix is to torque the leaf spring to axle U-bolts to 73 pounds. Done. Sorry for the confusion.

 

Thanks for clearing that up BTO. Torqued mine this afternoon. We'll see if that fixed it.

 

I just wanted to know if u bought the clamps or made them? If u bought them where and if not did u just use a piece of steel for the bottom? thanks!

 

Sorry I didn't see this post.

Those clamps were part of my helper spring kit but you can buy those at any auto parts store. But like I posted, that's not the best fix for axel wrap. Torquing the axel U bolts is.

 

how in the world does tightening down the main u bolts more help axle wrap... that makes no sense.

 

it doesn't. Unless the "wrap" was caused by loose ubolts... in which case, it's not axle wrap at all...


and 73# seems a bit low for ubolts anyway, but I normally upgrade to 5/8th ubolts any time I can.


Real fix is a traction bar. Or SUA. A thick, stiff pack may help, but won't eliminate wrap.

 

I have my axle/leaf u-bolts torqued to 90 ft-lbs. Still have the clunk, vibration on hard acceleration (20-25mph).

I installed the square u-bolts that came from a load-helper leaf, but I did it a bit differently. I installed the extra u-bolts behind the axle, here is my reasoning: when you apply the gas going forward, the axle pinion wants to rotate up (opposite wheel rotation), therefore the u-bolt in the front is compressing the leafs that will naturally be in compression during acceleration, putting the u-bolt behind the axle compresses the leafs that will be in tension (or want to separate) during acceleration. I test drove the truck and it is tighter, and it has cut down considerably on the vibration btw 20-25mph under hard acceleration. I positioned the u-bolts 3" behind the factory u-bolts. This basically uses the thick overload spring as a stabilizer for the flat and flexy main leaf pack.

 

The first person to actually look at it logically... i too looked at all the people putting a ubolt infront of the axle and went that sounds backwards.

I might have to try just a U bolt behind the axle, i do have some spring helpers that i will use in front of the axle as an old school style traction bar and see if that helps... then maybe in combination with a u bolt behind the axle.

 

Try and find a stock set from a pick and pull/junk yard. It shouldn't be that pricey

 

anyone have a picture of this? I am having the dreaded thud most of the time I stop, I was thinking brakes were sticking or something....pretty sure its this.

 

It's fairly simple. Take square u-bolts or what ever clamp you want and install them a couple inches or so behind the axle on the leaf springs. It will help calm axle wrap but will not eliminate it. Over time the springs will get worse and axle wrap will be noticeable again.