FRONT AXLE AND SUSPENSION U-Bolt Torque WARNING! Chevron zinc lubricant (SAE 20 or 30 oils acceptable but not preferred). It is important that U-bolts remain tight. Severe use of your vehicle will cause them to loosen faster. But all vehicles need to have their U-bolts checked and tightened regularly. Be sure someone with the proper training and the right tools checks and tightens the U-bolts on your vehicle. Do not operate the vehicle if the U-bolts are not properly tightened. Loose U-bolts will cause the axle to not be properly secured to the suspension, which could cause loss of vehicle control and an accident. Loose U-bolts can also cause un- even tire wear and poor alignment.
Failure to comply may result in death, personal injury, equipment or property damage. WARNING! Do not replace U-bolts and nuts with common U-bolts or standard nuts. These parts are critical to vehicle safety. If the wrong U-bolts or nuts are used, the axle could loosen or separate from the vehicle and cause a serious accident. Use only U-bolts and nuts of SAE Grade 8 specifi- cation or better. Failure to comply may result in death, personal injury, equipment or property damage. New springs can settle in after service, relieving the tension on the U-bolts. Loose U-bolts can cause leaf spring breakage, axle misalignment, hard steering and abnormal tire wear.
U-bolts are difficult to tighten unless you have the right equipment. If you cannot tighten them correctly yourself, be sure to have them checked and tightened regularly by an authorized mechanic. 5 Front Spring Suspension U-Bolts, Grade 8 All vehicles should have suspension U-bolts tightened after the first 500 miles (800 km) of operation. Re-torque the front spring pinch bolts and shackle pinch bolts. Tighten U-bolt nuts to the specified torque value with the vehicle loaded to its normal gross weight.
The following torque values apply to U-bolts and nuts with clean threads lubricated with 5-118 Y53-6077-1B1 (03/17) U-BOLT SIZE DIAME- TER (Inch Di- mensions) TORQUE Nm Lb-Ft 3/4 333-408 245-300 7/8 598-734 440-540