u bolts are to tight, possible issue?

I had this same problem with installing the tundra U bolts which are the same but a hair longer, I scratched that and I actually used the stock tacoma ones instead with plenty of thread left on the outside with no issue. I have a procomp AAL as well. Used the crap out of them this weekend with no issue

 

as time goes on...the springs are likely to crack there, trimmed or not trimmed

 

Ill say this. I just installed a 3 leaf AAl with new u bolts. Everything fit perfectly together. I didnt need to force or bend anything. This is the 4 set of u bolts Ive put on over 3 trucks and like I said before, Ive never had to force or bend any u bolts to fit.

 

Only for hacks.

 

So I'd probably be best off using stock ubolts as they are still long enough eh? Just get new stock ones

 

My stock ones went back on with no force and at least 1/4 of thread left on them

 

As long as your stock u bolts are long enough, you can just reuse the ones you have.

 

Ya I hear you shouldn't re uses them they stretch out, and lose thread tension

 

'Hear' from whom? The same who told you that bending them to shape was SOP?

True, bolt stretching is a real thing. It's why new bolts are recommended when replacing a cylinder head.

But if u bolts stretched enough to impact spring safety, that would mean you should change your wheel studs every few tire rotations wouldn't it?

 

Yeah, u bolts can be reused.

 

You just have the right box, doesn't mean they stuffed the right springs in the box.

 

You're not supposed to re-used leaf spring u-bolts. Usually they are designed for you to torque to yield and won't take the same torque the second time and get the same stretch. That may mean the clamping force is lower the second time.

It's the same reason you can't re-use head bolts but in that case the failure is more immediate since the head gasket won't seal. With leaf springs you might be fine until you're not.

http://www.suspensionspecialists.com/techinfo/Ubolt_Information.pdf

However that said Toyota does suggest they are reusable in the service manual so it's obviously not a universally accepted position. I've reused them and lived to tell the tale, although most of the time I use new ones since I figure it's only one of the most critical parts in the rear suspension and a set of OME u-bolts is about $30.

 

The service manual doesn't say that you cannot reuse the U Bolts. Here is a quote for reassembly:

4. INSTALL REAR SPRING U BOLT (for 4WD and PreRunner)
(a) Install the spring bumper.
(b) Install the spring seat, 2 U-bolts, 4 washers and 4 nuts.Torque: 50 N*m (510 kgf*cm, 37 ft.*lbf)
HINT: Tighten the U-bolts until the lengths of all the U-bolts under the spring seat are the same.


The Toyota Service manual also says you can reuse the head bolts you just measure the diameter of each before reuse to ensure they are not stretched to yield.

 

Ive read this exact same thing in my service manual.

 

The u-bolt spec is said to be wrong. The best explanation I think is that they meant 73 ft-lbs. But I don't know the truth on this. I did higher than 37 ft-lbs because the older trucks and 1st get Tacoma book said 90 ft-lbs and that seems more right.

The FSM doesn't have the diamond by the head bolts but the wording leave it up to the mechanic. I know that the 3.0L cannot be reused despite the FSM not saying so directly. The wording is something like "If the head bolt does not meet torque specification the bolt must be replaced." They never do when you try to reuse them.

The 1GR has similar wording, "If the bolts appear deformed or broken then they must be replaced" and the procedure is the same, torque to a setting, paint a dot, turn 180 degrees. But I've never personally built a 1GR so I don't know. But I suspect they can't be either practically.

The 22R head bolts are not designed to torque to yield but the ones I've done sometimes are obviously stretched so I just replaced them all. The bolts on the 22R are done to a setting in 3 steps, no extra half turn to stretch them.

 

Concerning the cylinder head bolts. In the disassembly and inspection portion the service manual states:

1. INSPECT CYLINDER HEAD SET BOLT
(a) Using vernier calipers, measure the outside diameter of the bolt thread.

Standard outside diameter:
10.85 to 11.00 mm (0.4272 to 0.4331 in.)
Minimum outside diameter:
10.7 mm (0.421 in.)

That being said I agree for the cost I would just replace them.

Sorry for derailing the thread OP.