According to the directions included with my new TeraFlex axle-side track bar bracket, the nuts on the supplied u-bolt must be tightened to 85 ft lbs. However after cranking on the u-bolt for what seemed like forever, I noticed the u-bolt was bending. Upon closer inspection, I noticed that the bracket itself is also bending at the welds. That can't be good. Plus I'm still only at maybe 60 ft lbs.

I can contact TF directly to see what they say, but figured I'd post here to see if you guys had any thoughts... Am I doing something wrong? Is it normal for the bracket/u-bolt to bend like that?

Notice the curve in the lower portion of the u-bolt (upper side is the same) and the cracked paint at the top/bottom of the weld:

 

It'll form to the axle, crank on it. Mines been on close to two years and no problems. I had a good look at it when I put the Evo Rockstars on and alls well.

 

This doesn't answer anything... I just got a chuckle though cause your screen name is xact, and you said you "were at maybe 60 lbs." I was just expecting after seeing that name and reading teraflex recommended 85lbs that some really specific number was coming. "I torqued the bolt with a 6 point socket to exactly 85.1 lbs" or something. lol.. instead it was like some guy scratching his butt twice and saying "I recon its about 60 pounds" while he wipes his hands with a red rag.


I dunno why, it just tickled me. nevermind.

 

I hit mine with an impact and stopped when the u-bolts spread abit. All u- bolts will do this when you crank them. Hell , they do it on every leaf spring lift I've seen cause they go around the axle housing, even the factory ones are splayed on cj's, yj's.

 

Trust me.. I would feel much better if they were at 85.1 lbs.

The 'xact' screen name goes back years from different forums. I actually chose it originally in reference to transaction (abbrev 'xact') processing since I'm a software engineer by day (and hack DIY guy off hours). I'm also a bit (my friends would say very) meticulous... so the name kind of stuck.

I did plenty of butt scratching over the weekend while installing my TF lift. I figured most things out by checking the write-up's and searching, but couldn't find much info on this particular bracket.

 

OK, thanks for the reassurance. I wasn't too worried about the u-bolt until I saw the bracket itself bending.

 

lol. I am glad you took that the right way, I re-read that and thought you might think I was calling you a retard or something and that wasn't it at all. I just have a real visual mind when I read stuff I see stuff in my head and just that thought came to mind,,, made me laugh, not at you though. lol. And anyone that writes software is far from retarded IMO. I have only written very basic stuff and I have mad respect for someone who can plan out a program and write it clean the whole way through.

Sorry for the hijack for absolutely no reason. glad you have a sense of humor and that you got it sorted out.