Axle to leafsprings question.

[khutson]

Howdy all,

I did a shake down of our tear after our first 2 hundred miles just to double check things. The trailer pulled nice but was noisey. I really wasn't sure where the noise was coming from.

Long story short I know now.

My question is where the axle meets up with the leafsprings. Should this connection float or be sucked up tight?
Here's a pic of where I'm talking about.



Trailer will rock side to side and makes a lot of noise in the process. I was able to turn two of the nuts by hand this morning when checking it. I know that is wrong but not sure how much they should be tightend up.

Some advice on this would be great! Thanks for any help.

Ken

[rainjer]

Those bolts need to be tight. you do not want an play in thay connection.

[doug hodder]

Ken...according to the Dexter service manual they should be torqued to the following specs... 3/8" U bolt 35# max 30# min
7/16" U bolt 60# max 45# min.
1/2" U bolt 60# max 45# min

The shackle bolt should only be a snug fit, if they are locking nuts. You need to allow the rear shackle to rotate freely, but if it has a shoulder type bolt, 50# max 30# min.

If you don't have a torque wrench or can't borrow one...just get them really tight..and you'll be OK....finger tight isn't going to work..if they were originally tight and loosened up...use some red loctite on them.

Doug

[Nitetimes]

If I understand what you are asking correctly, my answer would be not likely, you won't pull the spring flat against the seat if there is any arch at that point, won't matter as long as the u-bolts are tight. I've always run mine on tight but you want to avoid bending the plate too much.
Oh yeah, and what he said /\ /\ /\

[khutson]

Here's a pic of the nuts.



like I had said two of them were finger loose. The one on the bottom left of the pic was way loose.

Ken

[doug hodder]

Ken...a quick look shows that the left side is quite a bit looser than the right...check the amount of bolt stick up..Doug

[Nitetimes]

I would advise double nutting them. I've had a few come loose and for a couple bucks it's good insurance.
FWIW - They started using those nuts because lock washers were breaking when the axles were mounted and the springs would come loose.

[khutson]

I do have the 1/2 inch U-bolt. and I do think I have a torque wrench somewhere. Now I have to find it..lol


So I'm looking for 50#'s via torque wrench or get them tight if no torque wrench. Not so tight ot bend the plate...

Sounds good to me! Thanks guys!

Ken

[khutson]

Yes the left side nuts were both loose and the one in the pic(bottom left) was almost off.

Double nutting sounds like a good idea also.

I will go find that torque wrench.

Ken

[Kevin A]

Ken...according to the Dexter service manual they should be torqued to the following specs... 3/8" U bolt 35# max 30# min
7/16" U bolt 60# max 45# min.
1/2" U bolt 60# max 45# min



Doug

Doug,
was this a typo or did Dexter give the same torque values for the 7/16" and 1/2" u-bolts? Seems to me the 1/2" should be closer to 65 - 80 ft. lbs.

I just checked Dexter's site and yes they did list the same torque for both size u-bolts. Not to second guess Dexter, but I still feel the 1/2" bolt could/should be torqued higher. Any other opinions?

[khutson]

I tightened up to 50#'s so unless somthing changes I'm going to go with what I got.

Please chime in if there is any other thoughts on this.

thanks for the reassurance.


Ken

[Dale M.]

There is also these things called "lock washers" although this style nuts used here should be self locking ( if main "flat" has serations in them).... I am thinking 75-80ftlb torque for these bolt sized...

Dale

[asianflava]

I just checked Dexter's site and yes they did list the same torque for both size u-bolts. Not to second guess Dexter, but I still feel the 1/2" bolt could/should be torqued higher. Any other opinions?

If the plate is the same thickness then torque will be the same. The U-bolt itself probably can take the extra torque but the plate can't. That's the way I'm reading it anyway.

The axle to frame clearance looks kinda tight, was the frame notched?

[brian_bp]

I agree that the plate is the limitation, not the bolts. The highest allowed torque for the threads produces way too much force for those silly plates. Have a look a serious leaf spring suspension (such as on a truck) and you won't see a flimsy bit of plate like this.

I was quite surprised when I replaced the plates and U-bolts in my travel trailer (to install shocks) to find how low the correct torque was.

[Yankee Dog]

If not mentioned before, medium strength loc-tite would be a good idea on those nuts. YD