After a perfect ride since installing my RK lift a few months ago, I started to develop an annoying bumpsteer/oscillation (I wouldn't go as far as to call it death wobble....yet). Found a leaking SS but while checking all of my torques, also found these on the lower arm, diff end. 125lb# torque and not a chance in my sched to offroad since installing the kit with the 9/16 bolt upgrade, shouldn't happen. Could be bad supplier/metallurgy but I suspect more along the lines of the bracket itself which is stamped and not exactly a flush surface against the washer. Hardened washers are more brittle than lower grade so it would make sense to crack and fail than just conform to the undulations as a grade 5 would.

So check those washers closely. The bolt side was pretty obvious when I applied torque and it just "seemed too easy" as the washer split, but the nut side which had cracks forming would be very difficult to determine without removal.

 

TeraFlex JK FlexArm washer kit (front lower & rear upper) #4951700 $10.99

| TeraFlex Suspensions

 

Thank you TF, not sure how I missed those. Definitely the correct way to go as I've also noted some wear on the aft side of the bolt hole.

 

Are these washers from the bolt upgrade kit available at north ridge or did you use something else?

 

Yes, from the Northridge kit. This may be a circumstance where a grade 5 washer would prevail. It's likely to conform to the irregular surface instead of failing. Of course, galling is an issue with 5 and the required torque, but may be the "least" of evils.

The Teraflex washers are a plus in that they "lock" the bolt into position with the stock cambolt tabs on the bracket and therefor should solve the "wallering" issue on the holes. They appear grade 5 but increased thickness, so I'm willing to try. Also, Fastenal has a structural washer in the 9/16" hardened with a .300+ thickness that would likely work as well. But it still wouldn't fit between the tabs nicely.

I've ordered the Teraflex to try out.

 

We had had a total of 6 washers do this with our kits out of 24,000 washers . The MFG thinks it is becuase of Hydrogen Embrittlement. If anybody has this issue just please contact us and we will get new washers sent out to you free of charge.

David

 

I received my north ridge bolt kit a couple months ago and i don't think mine had those 9/16th stampings. I like those teraflex washers thought I think my JK wanders too much and it's new.

 

I had a washer fail too from your kit.

 

The MFG is going to be changing washers so we dont have any failures at all.

David

 

Dave,
Thanks for your product support. Any chance the mfg will pick up the tab and send a correct set of washers out to those of us with broken ones? I plan on replacing them all now.

Thanks