how tight do you go on rear axle u-bolts. I read earlier that the axle tubes are thin, but can you overtighten and deform the tubes?
I know banjo axle tubes are not real thick and can warp if you weld on them and you're not careful. Most of the stuff that is not a banjo but would still be used on a period hot rod (olds, Pontiac, 9" ford) would be thick enough that it would take a lot to damage them. Now, if you're talking about some S-10 crap or something similar, well, you're in the wrong forum anyway. What axle exactly are you talking about?
Uh, I've got an S-10 rear axle, and I welded the four bar brackets to it.... Maybe I should swap it out for a 9 inch?
Hey use what you like. I'm not trying to start crap. This is the "tradional hot rods" forum. That's what I like. That's why I hang out in here. My hot rod has a banjo.
I was a little worried about this myself, on my 8" Ford, so I took a short piece of pipe and cut a couple of half moons to go under the u bolts.
...this 55 Chevy car rearend was in a 50 Chevy truck chassis I got; they didn't use correct saddles and bent the axle tubes tightening the u-bolts.
thanks for the replies, the photo by Rusty1 was what I was worried about. Squirrel thanks for the torque specs.
The key factor there was they "didn't use correct saddles"...not that the U bolts were overtightened. All the saddle pressure is concentrated on a small part of the axle tube. It was destined to fail regardless.
Speaking of U-bolts, should they be flattened where they bear on the housing, like a u-joint bolt? Mine, which I think are from a trailer store, are just round.
It's not necessary. The factory did that on many, but the aftermarket on none. Don't overthink it. Cosmo
The Jalopy Journal
