Chronic front "U" bolt loosening problem

[opfor2]

I'm having a chronic problem with the front suspension U bolts loosening up on by 90 Blazer. I would tighten them to spec's and after a few month of driving they would loosen up again. This would be evident when I hit the brakes I would hear the front axle "clunk" both right and left. So what would be causing the u bolts to loosen up? This is getting old and frustrating.. Any ideas ???

 

[sweetk30]

thay are streched out and shot. junk them and go buy some new ones. 5/8 rod is best. its stronger than the avarage size some places like to give you.

i dont tourqe mine. i just run them on with the impact. havent had one come loose yet. but never reuse ubolts. this is the kind of problems you will find with them.

 

[Citizen Rider]

My guess its a combo of stretched bolts and worn nuts.... Like sweetk30 said, replace them, places that make them include all new hardware and it will hold great.

 

[gmc4cw]

get new ones. run them on with a gun then yank em down tight with a breaker bar. I have never had a problem with new ones. tighten once about a week later then thats it.

 

[opfor2]

get new ones. run them on with a gun then yank em down tight with a breaker bar. I have never had a problem with new ones. tighten once about a week later then thats it.

OK, any suggestions on were to get new ones??

 

[gmc4cw]

spring shops should be able to make anything you want. I know offroad design can get them for you.

 

[stallion85]

I would start by looking in the phone book for a spring shop. Maybe look under trailer supply section or something. That is how I found one here in Vegas. Take your old ones in, keep in mind the front axle uses 1 different size u bolt around the housing. Most shops bend them right there and provide hardware to boot

 

[beater_k20]

and if they give you a regular nut, throw it away, and get some prevailing torque lock nuts. we use them all the time on 50,000# motorhomes, i dont see any reason not to use them on a truck that weighs 1/8 of that.