U-Bolt torque spec?

I am such a noob.

First near catastrophe: last summer,driving my 5 and the drivers side rear wheel nearly fell off at 40 MPH. The lug nuts came loose. (Guess that's what I get for not checking their torque after 50 miles!)

Last night, I pulled the rear drivers side tire off to work on the taillight wiring. The U-Bolts that hold the axle to the spring were LOOSE! I was missing a nut! Luckily, I had an extra one!

What is the torque spec on them? Chiltons does not list one. Should I double nut them?

 

On the early 5's, it's 50-55 lbs.

 

Should I double nut them?

Lock washer?

What do you guys have?

 

A heavy flat washer and the correct nut (it's sort of long) is all that you need if it's torqued correctly. Retorque every once and a while--they all tend to come loose.

 

Spring U-Bolts nuts (9/16- 18 100ft lbs........(1/2-20) 55ft lbs

 

All the stock ones I've removed have had the tall nut and a split lock washer - no flat washer. I'd be sure and use a new hardened lockwasher when replacing.

 

Tim: That's what mine had, just the tall nut and a thick hardened flat washer. The Black Diamond ones I sold to Dan used just that, no lock washer. They were 1/2". My stock ones are 7/16". Correctly torqued, I think they will hold OK with no lock washer--just check them at least once a year--more if you wheel often.