How Tight?

[Ken56]

How tight should the rear axil housing u-bolts be on my 68RR with 8 3/4 sure grip.
Thanks, Ken

 

[MoparMitch]

I believe the Factory Service Manual says 45ft lbs.

 

[eagleone1983]

You Sir are correct

 

[Propwash]

I believe the Factory Service Manual says 45ft lbs.

You Sir are correct

And here is what you have won!

 

[cr8crshr]

What???? No FSM...Factory Service Manual??? Not trying to bust anyone's chops here, but it seems all too often that numerous inquiries about this spec and that spec could be solved by using the FSM. And most here don't even have one!!! Or maybe that is an over exaggeration on my part. But that being said, it is one of the first things I purchase when ever I am working on an old MOPAR. I had one for my 1966 Chrysler 300, and I have one for my 1966 Plymouth Satellite. It is an invaluable tool regardless of ones so called "expertise" or mechanical ability. Get one and along with it a color schematic of the electrical system. Also...most here will always lend a hand even if you don't have them so it really I guess is all relative....cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[Propwash]

Hey Ken..here's a link to download your '68 Service manual....it's free. Don't want the natives getting restless I guess.

http://www.mymopar.com/index.php?pid=109

 

[cr8crshr]

Thanks Propwash...I completely forgot about that site until you just mentioned it. That is a good one too...cr8crshr/Tuck

 

[Propwash]

Hey no sweat Tuck.... Like mentioned, a must have.

 

[Cranky]

Also, the size of the bolts usually dictates how much torque they will take and there are plenty of torque charts on the net for all the different types of alloys. The U-bolts are not really anything special either so the charts will be pretty close to the factory specs. You can actually crimp the housing if you over tighten them too. Seen that plenty over the years. The nuts are also the locking type. If you look closely at them you will see small dimples in at least 3 sides of all the nuts and they are not really intended to be reused but I don't think you'll find anything about that in the FSM. Anyways, I like to use a dab of red loc-tite on reused nuts.

 

[Cornpatch MO]

I would recommend after driving the car for 100 or so miles, that you re-torque them.........................MO

 

[Ken56]

Thanks for all the help.
Ken

 

[tallhair]

That's a nice looking RR Ken. How does that tunnel ram do on the street?

 

[cr8crshr]

Just throwing this out there also that the correct bolts actually have a flat spot on the curved side so as to not cause the axle tube to collapse when tightened...most of the after market parts stores don't have the correct ones but there are a few that do.

 

[Ken56]

Hi T/H, It took awhile to get the tunnel ram right but it's now a lot of fun in the street and on the track.
Thanks cr8crshr for the info on the correct u-bolts. I ordered a set from Jegs, They should be here tomorrow. Hope they have the flat spot.

 

[Ryguytoodry]

They might not, but please let us know if they do. I ordered a set from jegs that didn't have the flat spot, from what I understand they are obsolete. You could try to grind them in, I'm just leaving mine alone. For the amount I'm driving it (track car only) I'll just check every couple outings and see if they loosened off at all.

 

[cr8crshr]

Search Rick Ehrenburger on eBay or on that other MOPARTS site as he has a lot of that older stuff available. That is where I got mine....

 

[Ken56]

Got my u-bolts from Jegs. No flat spots but a good quality bolt, washers and nuts. I may grind the flat area on them.