Don't be dumb like me

Hey guys. Spent the weekend on and off swapping my stock leafs and firestone airbag setup for Dobinson leafs and a Trail gear u-bolt flip kit with Superbumps.

This is the second time I've done leafs on a tacoma and I repeated the same mistake as last time. TRIPLE CHECK the orientation of the bolt that connects your leaf spring shackle.

I did it correctly on one side and reversed on the other. This actually causes the bolt to scrape up against the shackle mount. You have to remove the entire leaf to rectify this if you bolt everything in prior to noticing the mistake. Seeing as I already stretched my new u bolts, I decided to trim the shackle bolt so it wouldn't rub on the shackle mount. Hoping that doesn't bite me in the ass some day. I fully realize that this design is to prevent the bolt from walking itself out even if the nut comes loose. Guess I'm just gonna have to live dangerously.

 

^The U-bolts are reusable. Not sure who got the idea that they're torque-to-yield.

Some kits use very aggressive locknuts which damage the threads, but not the TG/Wheelers kit.

Make sure the leaf pack retainer bolts are pointed away from the fuel tank on the driver's side, though.

 

I’ve also always been told not to reuse u-bolts. I’m not sure about the u-bolts in the flip kits.

Reg u-bolts I was told they are not designed to be stretched over and over like other bolts. I prob would have done same thing as you or ordered new u-bolts. I’m sure lots of people Reuse them with no issues but my ocd always gets the better of me.

 

The FSM clearly identifies non-reusable parts in the component diagrams, things like cotter pins, some seals, etc. The U-bolts aren't identified as such, at least the OEM U-bolts.

 

When ever possible, ALWAYS replace hardware. It’s cheap insurance to avoid a major failure

 

literally doing this currently. Thanks for the reminder.

 

Wanna sell me the airbag set up?

 

If you have any threads left, you can take something and bend the threads over slightly to lock the nut on. Or throw a tack weld on the end which you can grind later. If your worried about it.

 

Lost a bit (a bolt here and there) of hardware on the disassembly. The powdercoat didn't last very well either. Would strongly recommend priming and respraying it with some rattle cans. I'll get it to you for free if you just want to cover the shipping. I was going to trash everything but the bags unless someone wanted it.

 

Thats not a bad idea. I've got a harbor freight gasless mig that would probably do the trick. I can't imagine needing to take it off for quite some time now the leafs are upgraded.

 

Why?!

inspect it, if it’s good and the manual doesn’t call for Tq to yield, or as a one time use fastener, there is absolutely no need to replace hardware.

now, having new hardware on hand in case you find something bad during maintenance/tear down or screw something up during install, that makes sense. Then the majority, if not all of it, can be returned if not needed.

 

Thanks for the PSA, I’m getting ready to install new leaf packs very soon!

 

Very few bolts are not reusable. Torque specs are well below thread yield.
Now, if you reuse a bolt 20 times....

 

Many have done it, and many will continue to do it.

Heck I did it simply in the rush of doing all the leaf spring campaigns, you get in a rhythm rather than thinking.

Easy to fix.

U bolts are fine to re-use a few times, as long as they are young and clear of corrosion.

 

Wheel studs (or lug bolts on Euro vehicles) see that kind of duty cycle yeah?

The U-bolts typically get rusted after a couple of years in service. Some shops in northern states don't even bother trying to loosen them with an impact - they go straight for the cutting torch. However, that is far from OP's case - he just installed new U-bolts but didn't want to loosen them to access the shackle bolt.