I'm going to lower the rear a bit by removing the axle spacer block and picked up new U bolts at a local supply house today. Trying to find the torque setting for the rear axle U bolts on my 2004 FX4 4x4. My 2000 manual says 72 to 97 ft/lbs but the people that supplied the new U bolts said 185 ft/lbs. Think I'd like to stay within the suggested Ford range for torque if I can find out what it is.

Thanksi

 

The service manual says...

Light duty - 85 lb-ft

Heavy duty - 184 lb-ft

 

Thanks James. So do you think the FX4 is Heavy duty?

Since I'm not planning a bunch of rough stuff I think I'll split the difference and start them at 135#.

When I took the old ones off the seemed quite easy so I suspect closer to 85# but since the bolts will strand 185 I'll load them up a llittle.

 

I am not sure if they are talking about the heavy duty option with the 8' bed or what.

I removed my blocks but do not remember what I set mine at.

I also tightened mine in a pattern like you do headbolts to bring them all up to whatever lb-ft together and keep the bolts lined up good.

 

Where can we get the service manual with all the specs? Chiltons?

 

I torqued the new bolts to 100 ft/lb using a cris cross pattern. I'll check them in a couple days to make sure they are well seated in. 100 lbs seemed like lots to tighten them up as the original bolts did not seem that tight.

Thanks for the help.

 

You can view the service manual online at Motorcraft.com for about $15 for 30 days. They are pdf files that can be downloaded. There is about 500 of them.

-James-