Draglink clamp bolt

[Texastruck]

I had an alignment done at the dealership and the steering wheel was off center when completed on my 2019 2500 4×4. So its easy enough to adjust the drag link so I centered the steering wheel but the bolt for the clamp on the drag link (new style for 2019/2020) was on too tight and slightly bent. I picked up a new clamp bolt from dealer and installed. I torqued it to 50 ft lbs which is the recommended torque for a 7/16 grade 8 bolt and it shows a slight bend also. This may be normal because of the angle of the holes in the clamp or did I also over tighten? If this bolt breaks/loosens I would loose all steering. Any insight would be appreciated.

 

[zrojas]

I had an alignment done at the dealership and the steering wheel was off center when completed on my 2019 2500 4×4. So its easy enough to adjust the drag link so I centered the steering wheel but the bolt for the clamp on the drag link (new style for 2019/2020) was on too tight and slightly bent. I picked up a new clamp bolt from dealer and installed. I torqued it to 50 ft lbs which is the recommended torque for a 7/16 grade 8 bolt and it shows a slight bend also. This may be normal because of the angle of the holes in the clamp or did I also over tighten? If this bolt breaks/loosens I would loose all steering. Any insight would be appreciated.

I attached the torque spec page that show the drag link for your reference. View attachment Torque spec1.pdf

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[Texastruck]

Wow thats a quick reply. Thanks for the info. Do you think a slight bend in the bolt due to clamp holes alignment is ok? Looks like I didn't over tighten.

 

[zrojas]

I would think that the bolt should not be bent. If that was "normal", I'd expect it would be a bolt that would need replaced every time which doesn't make sense for an adjustment point. Someone probably got over zealous with an impact if I had to guess.

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[Texastruck]

I agree, however with a clamp has its tightened the alignment of the holes change angles and has the bolt tightens it must bend to the clamp angle. So I wonder if the clamp was so over tightened that it bent the clamp out of spec. The new bolt that I installed to 50 ft lbs doesn't have nearly the bend the old one had but its still worth getting some opinions here with it being a potential safety issue.

 

[zrojas]

I would replace the clamp as well to ensure you have the proper torque and clamping force. The clamp is likely fatigued as well.

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[Texastruck]

Thanks

 

[zrojas]

Anytime, I can look up any of the service procedures for you as well if you need them. Sned me a PM.

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[Texastruck]

Excellent. Thanks again.

 

[Texastruck]

Here is a pic

 

[olyelr]

Hmmm. Yea it looks like it is designed to bend the bolt. The two mating surfaces are not flat to each-other.