Ubolt problem

So I am attempting to replace the bullshit 1" spacers on the rear of my 2018 Platinum and replacing with Toytech shackles set at 1.5". However the aftermarket ubolt nuts are rusted froze. I can see the ubolt twist when trying to break them free with my breaker bar. I don't have another OEM set on hand so I cant break one. So, do I go ahead and leave the 1" block, install shackles on 1" setting, bolt everything back up, order OEM ubolts and when they come in, cut off the old ubolts, reinstall everything at the 1.5" setting. Or, bolt everything back together and just wait for ubolts to arrive and do everything at once? I am so frustrated....

 

I'd try hitting the bolts with some PB Blaster, a good heavy coat, and give it time to soak in overnight. If you can I'd hit it with Blaster every couple hours until you go to bed. Then I'd hit them again about 20 minutes before trying to loosen them without anything aggressive enough to break them if they are cross-threaded. This method is cheap, and will only cost you a day, and has made some seriously stuck bolts manageable for me in the past. As every, YMMV.

 

Thanks for the response, unfortunately with my work schedule I dont have an extra day, I have today.

 

Best to wait until you have new u-bolts then. Reusing u-bolts isn’t a great idea at the best of times, and backing yourself into a corner (if one breaks or the threads pile up) isn’t a fun place to be if you’re needing the truck tomorrow.

Being up against the wall for time almost always means something will go sideways, but if you have time / options, it almost always goes easier. Nigh on 20 years of experience as a mechanic has taught me something. Maybe.

 

Agreed, I'll just bolt everything back up and wait until next time. Thanks

 

Phil is correct on this one. Can't even blame Canada! I'd spend today hitting your dealer for some OEM replacements so that you are all ready to go when you do your upgrade.

 

U bolt nuts should ideally be used once, so if you plan to remove the blocks it would be best to either get new u bolts and nuts or at least, new nuts.

https://beattiespring.com/blogs/knowledge-center/the-biggest-u-bolt-question-we-get#:~:text=While the U-bolt has,threads stretch out under torque.


"This is one of the single most commonly asked questions out there when discussing leaf springs and related components. We get a variety of reactions when we advise our customers that reusing U-bolts is never a good idea. There are some very specific reasons why we stress this point so much, trying to sell you something you don’t need is not one of them.

U-bolts are a torque to yield bolt. This means when you tighten down a U-bolt to its proper torque spec, the bolt stretches to achieve that level of tightness. While the U-bolt has some flexibility in its ability to stretch after being loosened, the bolt will never tighten enough to allow it to regain its full torque spec potential."

 

Thanks guys! Yeah I just bolted everything back up. I am going to wait for my OME ubolts to get here. I am not paying $21 each plus nuts from Toyota. Plus I'll get a set of carrier spacers coming from Coachbuilder as well as grab some ebrake bracket extensions. I didnt like the tightness I saw at full droop. This was a blessing in disguise I believe.

 

Good call. Also, setting the shackles at 1" often requires grinding because it will usually hit one of the bed bolts.

 

This is so true, Murphy’s law at its finest. Took me some years to learn this lesson.

 

Ok. I think I have this wrong. There is a hose that comes down from under the bed and then over the rear leaf into the backing plate on both sides. Its stretched pretty tight at full droop, please excuse my ignorance but what is this and how do I remedy it?

 

Sure looks like the E-brake cable from what I can see - haven’t lifted the rear of my Tundra YET - but the extension brackets should be what u need

 

Yeah I was right it's the ebrake and its stretched pretty tight with rear suspension hanging. I cant find a specific bracket to remedy it. But I did find a picture of a bracket extension. I may just make one.

 

You can just bend the stock brackets until you get enough slack.

 

Agree with this ^^^ Icon RXT leaf pack and shocks and even fulllllllllyy flexed the ebrake isn't the limiting factor with the stock brackets bent out to accommodate a smooth path for it.

 

https://shop-coachbuilder.myshopify...ke-abs-relocation-kit-provides-2-25-of-length

OME makes them as well. Just put them on with my +2 shackles, probably didnt need them but doesnt hurt.

 

After looking at it further, I agree and will adjust them to get the slack I want.

 

That was my thought when I ordered the Coachbuilder relo kit. Better to have 'em and not need 'em, then to need 'em and not have 'em.

 

Thanks, good to know