Check Your U-Bolts

Does tighting the u bolts apply to 4x2 owners

 

Applies to all Tacomas with a rear axle.

 

I'm still confused on how to check them. I've read almost this whole thread. Can you dumb it down

 

I think you're confusing the u-joints with 4x2 vs. 4x4.
U-joints are on your driveshaft. 4x2 have non-greasable, whereas 4x4 do.

U-bolts are what hold your leaf springs to the axle.
Yes, it applies to 4x2s.
It's commonly recommended by leafspring manufacturers to re-torque new u-bolts after 500 miles; after things have settled in.

 

Okay thanku. Do you think Toyota did this for my 5000 check

 

To check your u-bolts, get a torque wrench and set it to your desired torque (52 ft-lbs) and attempt to tighten the u-bolts lugs. if the Torque wrench clicks (assuming you have a click type wrench), then you're good. If the bolts turn, then turn them until they click, which will mean you've tightened them to the torque you set.

Toyota may or may not have done it at your 5k check. Maybe your receipt will show if they performed the service, but it's easy to check them, only takes 5 minutes (most of which is getting your torque wrench and socket ready).

 

No.

 

You are going to need to buy a torque wrench, basically as you use the wrench it will tell you the amount of force you are applying to the nut or whatever, as it gets increasingly tight.

As for the U bolts gonna need to get under the truck there are several pics these guys have posted as to the location man.

It's all very simple. GL

 

Thanks bud. Also is it just 8 bolts ?

 

I wonder - is there any difference when torqueing the u-bolts whether the truck is on the wheels or lifted from the frame? If the spec is 52 lb-ft, wouldn't that have been done on assembly with the truck on a lift?

 

Just checked the U bolts on my 17. I set a torque wrench at 52 foot pounds and all 8 nuts were tight. No movement. They were definitely torqued higher than 52. It appears Toyota finally got this issue corrected.

 

So just to be an antagonist
Toy U bolts are grade 5, 12mm
Which would technically be 39lb-ft
All mine were at least 40 on the 17' I just picked up.

http://electronicfilters.tpub.com/TM-10-4330-237-13P/css/TM-10-4330-237-13P_105.htm

 

You kill me man.

 

I wouldn't think it would matter,....... FWIW, I had 1 out of 8 that was less than 52 foot pounds, the truck had the wheels on the ground.

 

Anyone have a factory torque spec sheet for the 3rd gen? Just got a lift but didn't torque down everything and want to do so before an alignment tomorrow.

 

My 2017 4wd does not have zerks on the rear wheel drive shaft - only on the front wheel drive shaft. I think Toyota is using the same drive shat for 2wd and 4wd trucks. Makes sense to use as may common parts as possible.

 

Correct; as of June/July 2016.

 

Just like my rear wheel drive. Not a zerk to be found. I wonder at what mileage the u-joints will start whistling. I am guessing one week past the warranty.

 

Depends how contaminated they become and it's angle of operation.
There is the school of thought that non-greasable u-joints are stronger because they are solid and lack grease channels.

 

Finally got around to checking my U bolt nuts last night. 3 of the 8 were loose. 2 were on the same U bolt. I got a good 1 to 1.5 turn on both of them. I had been hearing a clunk in the rear stopping. That's gone now. Guess I should have done this 8k miles ago.