Scary? Short U Bolts

So I installed a shim from Toytec today and discovered that the existing U bolts are a bit short. I have ordered longer ones but need to drive this as is until I get them and install them. Anyone think this is really scary to drive around the street?

Thanks, Dan.

 

You’re gonna want at least a thread or two past. I install bolts backwards and go swaybarless. I wouldn’t let this go though.

 

You're supposed to torque and then recheck torque after driving X, but you may not get that second opportunity if you lose them. If you're asking, you know its sketchy. Do what you're comfortable with. Don't drive, don't drive far, or pull the shims in the meantime. I imagine you're talking the angled one to correct the drive line?

 

I'd be extremely cautious running that.

 

Thread engagement + proper torque is fastener strength 101. You have neither. Good luck.

 

It’s going to be this all over again:



Don’t do it. Those bolts loosen a significant amount in the first couple days.

 

Just for reference.....

https://jalopnik.com/that-doesnt-look-right-1825155281

 

Send it

 

You might really want to exercise extreme care with that - always run 1.5 times the diameter of the bolt in threaded holes or thru the Nut part of the reason is the starting threads on a bolt are not always fully formed.

 

What would make you think that? I torqued them to 75 Lb Ft, drove to the grocery store, and re-torqued them again. As I said, I have already ordered longer replacements, just driving to work and back in the mean time. I'm actually not terribly worried, but I do appreciate the input. Thanks guys!

 

That makes sense too. Thank you.

 

Fuuuuck that noise. I wouldn't drive that. I'd pull the shims in a heartbeat.

 

Might want to avoid any potholes. In my opinion, that’s still super janky. If your axle comes off, hopefully it’s not on the interstate with a busload of lawyers behind you taking their kids to bible camp.

 

I don’t understand why people continuously push the limits of the nuts and bolts. I just worked in a fastener plant as a mechanical/fastener engineer and having the correct thread engagement along with the proper torque ARE the two most crucial things. A fasteners strength is based on full thread engagement. The end of a bolt has roughly 1-2, sometimes more, partial threads (not fully filled out due to runout on the die or the machine). These 1-2 threads are useless, they won’t be engaging the nut at all. Since the end of the bolt isn’t even protruding past the nut I would say that’s there not more than 2 full threads engaged. I’d say u-bolt nuts have around 4-6 full threads in them depending on the size and the truck.

If you’re only at 2 full threads you’re looking at half of the necessary strength or less. If you were to over torque in order to compensate for the lack of length you’ll end up stripping the threads. In most fasteners this size the threads are what fail first and that is considered and “ideal failure”. Just my two cents. In my opinion don’t drive it, could just take one wrong turn or pothole for something to go wrong.

 

I would not run like that, there are two exposed threads on the nut that's most visible. Basically the bolt is unable to seat correctly in that nut and leaves the risk of play and wallowing. Couple that with the stress that u-bolt encounters you are running a real risk of loosing those nuts. I personally would recommend that you can see at least 2, preferably 3-4+ threads of bolt past the end of the nut, that allows you some extra room if anything comes loose. Where you're at now, if it came loose you wouldn't have any threads to run down before the bolts came off.

 

How big is the spacer? I did an add a leaf and still had plenty of thread left all around.

 

And we wonder why insurance premiums are so high. Did you use extra extra Loc Tite ?
Can you imagine the OP as exhibit A at the trial...

 

Yes I have considered removing those very thick washers too. I understand the concern to a degree, but as stated, I have torqued then to spec- twice. My drive to work is about 2 miles on a deserted 25 mph road. I think I’m going to drive it for two more days until my new bolts arrive. OR, maybe check into some from Napa, etc and swap them sooner

 

Napa is no help. Where would I find the specs for U bolts- diameter and stock length?