I had a problem with the upper left side leaf spring insulator pad come out of position on my 56 Fairlane. I put 20,000 miles on it in 8 years before this happened. When I assembled everything back then I just torqued the U-bolts down with an impact assuming that would be ok. Now I notice in the shop manual that they are to be torqued to 38-43 ft. lbs. That sure doesn't seem like enough in my opinion. Has anyone else had this happen to them and what torque rating do you use?  Dave

SE Wis

I haven't experienced the same problem but my 57 manual calls for a similar low amount of torque which never seemed right to me. Back in the days before I owned a manual I always made them tighter then that. I did mine to 60 lbs when I changed springs, right or wrong I couldn't say but even that seemed to low to me. I always recheck after a few hundred miles.
Just as a general rule don't always take the manual as gospel. Manuals are printed before the cars hit the road. As time goes on there are a lot of changes made to correct errors and procedures, but these corrections are only sent to dealers as Service Bulletins and you never see them..

Diverting here for the moment, but as Rancharo Jim points out, some torque specs can prove wrong down the road. The most "infamous" one being the Main Cap torque on 312 engines. The original 1956 book torque figure was "far to high" & unfortunately led to some ruined engine blocks ! !    


Paul

Yes, I am aware of the wrong main cap torque on the 312. Maybe they are also a little off on the leaf spring U-bolt torque. I'll do the 60lb and try to remember to check it on occasion. Memory isn't what it used to be thou.  Thanks for the input.  Dave

SE Wis

When I got my Tbird, the left  tire was hitting the skirt when making a right hand turn.  After doing some investigation on how to remedy this, I found an article on this problem and they recommended a higher torque reading in the ubolts.  I did that and the problem disappeared  That was 9 years ago.


54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Paul, do you remember how high of a torque setting?  Dave

SE Wis

.I am not sure, but I think it was 60 lbs.  Double check the torque rating for the size of the bolt

Note on my original  response - I changed the turn to right hand turn from left hand turn.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ