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Jeff
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 8 Location:
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 4:15 pm Post subject: shackle - torque |
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1948 Pontiac
I'm replacing rear leaf springs, my manual says to tighten bolt that holds shackle. Is there a torque spec. for the bolt ?
Thanks Jeff _________________ |
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Larry Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 4775
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Posted: Mon Nov 28, 2016 9:00 pm Post subject: Bolt Torque |
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I just replaced the springs (and a lot of other stuff!) on my '40 Pontiac. While there may be a torque value, I have replaced quite a few over the years and never looked it up. Here's what I recommend.
Get Grade-8 bolts, nuts, washers, lock washers and just tighten them about as much as you actually can, but not enough to distort the shackles... bending in the middle. If you're concerned they aren't tight enough, at least add lock nuts to the bolts. One thing I do (if using the original shackles) is to flip the shackles if they have a bow to the inside already.
My dad used to joke about a torque instruction in one of his manuals that said "tighten as much as you can with a 12" wrench." He used to say "Is the guy strong, weak, fat, skinny, young, old... that sure could make a difference!" _________________ PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world! |
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Jeff
Joined: 08 Dec 2012 Posts: 8 Location:
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Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:05 pm Post subject: torque spec. |
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Thanks Larry. I have another problem that maybe you can help me with. I have new leaf springs , bushings, eye bolts, seals , and front eye bolts installed. but when I try to line up the shackles the one side will line up , but then the other side of the shackle is way off, probably 3/8" off from lineing up.
I could force it somehow but it seams like it would bind up.
I could try to send a picture if that would help. Thanks Jeff _________________ |
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Larry Site Admin
Joined: 01 Jun 2006 Posts: 4775
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Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2016 2:01 pm Post subject: Rear Spring Alignment |
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When you say the shackles don't "line up" I am guessing you mean that they aren't hanging from the frame perfectly parallel when lined up with the spring pin holes. I just put new springs in my '40 and didn't find any such condition happening as you describe. I assume you used the original "main" spring with the original eyelets in it, right?
I just crawled under my '40, and the rear shackles look nice and straight one-to-the other. Though my inboard shackle is a hook-like piece that takes a jack for raising the car.
All things being equal, I do not see why the spring would be canted one direction or the other. Are both sides doing the same thing? In the same direction?
The front big bolt doesn't have much wiggle to it if all is in relatively good shape, so it is not "designed" to "flexible." Though 3/83" isn't too much.
I just read all the procedures in the shop manual and see no mention of anything about a spring not lining up with the shackles. By the way, no mention of a torque value on the rear shackle bolt either.
Are both springs nice and flat when put on their sides on the floor? Do the pin holes point 90-degrees to the floor (straight up)?
The Hollander Interchange Manual doesn't show a right and left spring, so that rules out having a spring with some sort of "twist" on the wrong side. I don't know if it would make an alignment issue like you are having, but you do have the long end of the spring to the back, right?
If you don't get it figured out on your own, give Mike Eaton a call at Eaton Detroit Spring (see their ad to the left). He's the smartest guy around when it comes to springs... and a really nice guy too!
Let us know what you find out. _________________ PontiacRegistry.com... building the single largest source of Pontiac information, services, and entertainment in the world! |
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