Mdub
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Gilbert, AZ
Hey ya'll,
Just installed some new RE 5.5 leafs. I had a pair of steel shims from my previous setup that I installed. Well, the leaf pin/bolt wasn't long enough so I measured it and went out to buy a new one. While a lot of research I've done state the hole/pin/bolt are 3/8", actually they measure 7/16". So I went and got a 7/16" bolt and proceeded with the install. Well, when I went to set the nut atop the bolt I realized that it (the nut) wouldn't fit in the hole drilled in the leaf (top) plate. In fact, the nut that came on the bolt from the RE leafs wouldn't have fit either. Well I was going to drill it out, but it is something like .25" steel, hard as hell, and I'd need to open the 3/8" diameter hole to something like .75". No thanks. So here's what I did...just used a big washer, some loctite and the nut, on top of the hole. I think it will be okay. The joint doesn't see axial load, only shear from the leafs, so I don't see why this would be a problem. But I look to you guys to tell me what you think. Has anyone had any experiences like this (especially with RE leafs)? Thanks.
p.s. No comments about the insanely long U-bolts. There was a block in there before. It can't compress far enough for them to hit anything so I left them that length.
Just installed some new RE 5.5 leafs. I had a pair of steel shims from my previous setup that I installed. Well, the leaf pin/bolt wasn't long enough so I measured it and went out to buy a new one. While a lot of research I've done state the hole/pin/bolt are 3/8", actually they measure 7/16". So I went and got a 7/16" bolt and proceeded with the install. Well, when I went to set the nut atop the bolt I realized that it (the nut) wouldn't fit in the hole drilled in the leaf (top) plate. In fact, the nut that came on the bolt from the RE leafs wouldn't have fit either. Well I was going to drill it out, but it is something like .25" steel, hard as hell, and I'd need to open the 3/8" diameter hole to something like .75". No thanks. So here's what I did...just used a big washer, some loctite and the nut, on top of the hole. I think it will be okay. The joint doesn't see axial load, only shear from the leafs, so I don't see why this would be a problem. But I look to you guys to tell me what you think. Has anyone had any experiences like this (especially with RE leafs)? Thanks.
p.s. No comments about the insanely long U-bolts. There was a block in there before. It can't compress far enough for them to hit anything so I left them that length.
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