Rear Axle: Loose spring bolts

[warrlaw1]

Took my 55 out on the four lane and ran her up to 85 MPH. A nice young lady in a Mazda 3 that I had passed roared up beside me, rolled down her window and yelled "your wheel, your rear wheel!" I pulled off and yanked on all four. Found a little movement in the left rear, so I putted back home and sent it next door to the garage this morning. Wheel studs were torqued fine. The nuts holding the Dana 44 to the leaf springs had backed off by 3/4 of an inch! I bet the rear wheels were just bouncing on the highway. The threads still had tape on them but were never torqued. I was thinking wheel balance. Never imagined the whole differential was moving around. My good ol' boy tore everything apart, but I can't trust anything he put together. Gawd, I'm lucky. I'll need a lot more shake down time before I take this baby on a long haul. Shooting for Setpember and the PSMCD.

[Mike Van Veghten]

That's why I do all my own work...and double check before I let the jack down and or close the hood, bolt the oil pan on, etc., etc.

Get in there and check your shops work once in a while, might save your well being.

Mike

[doug]

I've had the U-bolt nuts loosen twice, eventhough double nutted. I can tell now when I accelerate, it wants to turn the car a little.

[jallen]

Many new suspension fasteners recommend a re-torque after 30 days

[jackb]

while at it, and whenever you take the front A-frames apart/off....check them too

[N8N]

actually the front lower control arm shaft mounting bolts are notorious for loosening on Studes and at some point (after 1955 I believe) special flat ground hardened washers were added under the nuts in an attempt to keep them tight. When I redid the front end of my car I used Grade 8 washers under the nuts (because I didn't have the Stude washers referenced in the service bulletin) and also used Grade 8 self-locking nuts in an attempt to keep that from happening.

When I blew apart the front end of my '62 which only had about 25K original miles I found several of those bolts, so it is a good idea to inspect those periodically.

I haven't seen U-bolts come loose, but it's not inconcievable that they could as well.

nate

[studebaker-R2-4-me]

I'm getting under my Hawk today! It's time for an Oil change, tighten a few bolts, try and fix that leaky PS control valve (once again), change the disc brake pads, and try to find that "clink" when I hit the throttle to accelerate.

Glad everything is okay on your car and that you made it home safely Dave.

Allen

[Welcome]

>>>Gawd, I'm lucky.<<<PSMCD.

[jackb]

I've heard of rear spring nuts loosening after some service. Its a good rule to re-torque after a few thousand miles...

[warrlaw1]

Yes, Welcome, every nut and bolt and spring has been removed. Original bolts and nuts, new springs. Now my brakes are locking up on me, too. But, I'm still a lucky guy. Tomorrow's a new day and I'll keep at it until it's done right. Wouldn't trade it for a new car, with all its warts.