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  •  » When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

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    10/17/2019 1:14 PM  #1

    6sally6
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    From: Surfside Beach,SC
    Registered: 4/02/2013
    Posts: 6,874

    When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    How do you guys do it?(DON'T say with a wrench!!! )
    Do you torque'm down or         just ....don't strip it out!!!!   tight?
    Checked mine while on the stands and they were surprisingly loose!  Not fanger loose butt..I turned all four of 'em a turn or turn and a half.
    Also.....I realize the u-bolts have to be fairly short, to not have interference but, mine are 'just' long enough to get the nut  on 'em. 
    Y'all have these problems?
    6sally6

    Get busy Liv'in or get busy Die'n....Host of the 2020 Bash at the Beach/The only Bash that got cancelled  )8
     

    10/17/2019 2:10 PM  #2

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,981

    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    Depends on the joint Mike.
    1310’s are 14-17 foot pounds
    1350 is 20-24
    1550 is 32-37
    The ones in between are in between.

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    10/17/2019 2:24 PM  #3

    Texas!
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    Registered: 6/27/2014
    Posts: 232

    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    You definitely don't want to use a cheater pipe on the wrench when tightening them as the u-bolt can distort the cap and ruin the u-joint.
    The torque values posted by Rudi sound reasonable to me.

     

    10/17/2019 2:45 PM  #4

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    Are your caps fully seated into the yoke?
    Are the caps the correct size?

    I took my driveshaft out a couple of days ago and there were threads showing past the nuts before removal.
    When I installed the u-bolts last time, I tightened them with my hand as close to nut as possible to prevent over-torqueing on the caps.
    I believe the most common mistake is to deform the caps and damage the needle bearings.

     

     

    10/17/2019 3:58 PM  #5

    Rudi
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    From: Stuck in the 50's Welland Ca
    Registered: 4/01/2013
    Posts: 3,981

    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    I always liked the flat clamp type retainers, less of a chance of distorting those bitty needle bearings.  Once  during my excessive compulsive disorder I made a set of billet clamps from  7075 T6.

    Last edited by Rudi (10/17/2019 4:23 PM)

    Good work ain't cheap, Cheap work ain't good!   Simple Man
     

    10/17/2019 8:58 PM  #6

    Nos681
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    From: Atlantic Mine, Michigan
    Registered: 7/14/2016
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    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    I don’t think that is excessive Rudi.
    Compulsive...IDK.

    They should have come from factory that way.
    That’s just my opinion...ya know what they say about opinions.😜

     

    10/18/2019 11:45 PM  #7

    Bolted to Floor
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    From: Houston, Texas
    Registered: 4/01/2013
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    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    Ok, I won’t say with a wrench, but I do use one!!!

    I try to snug them up tight with an even amount of threads past the nut for each bolt.

    John  -- 67 Mustang Coupe 390 5 speed
     

    10/19/2019 8:49 AM  #8

    HudginJ3
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    From: Cedar Hill, TX
    Registered: 4/29/2015
    Posts: 1,249

    Re: When tightening U-bolts on universal joints..........

    I've found that with U joint type bolts that it is really hard to get an even torque on both sides with out eventually going to far. I've had the best luck using good high heat steal lock nuts. I've come back later and still found the U bolt loose but the nuts locked down.

    70, ragtop 351W/416 stroker Edel Performer heads w pro flow 4, Comp roller 35-421-8. T5
     

     

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