panhard bar

[kris hynum]

Damn bolts keep breaking off in rearend!No binding whatsoever!just going down bumpy road!' 98 chevy 1500 with airbar btw!this is the 2nd time with 2 bolts breaking!what to do?drill and tap for bigger bolts?

[darren@ridetech.com]

A little confused......Is is the bolts the fasten the Billet aluminum mount to the axle?

[kris hynum]

yes...the 3 bolts that fasten the billet mount to the axle!

[darren@ridetech.com]

??? Not sure. We have had that kit for a couple years and I have never had that happen before. Did all three break off? I wonder if it is possible that one or more of the bolts backed out. Are you putting lock washers on it?

[kris hynum]

2 of the 3 broke off flush with the rear end!yes they all had lock washers and were not backed out!i had a shop drill them out and retap and replace with grade 8 bolt!shop owner said they were grade 5 bolt and shouldn' t be used in that application in his opinion!

[darren@ridetech.com]

I' ll definitely look into that Kris. Out of my own personal curiosity I checked the ultimate sheer capabilities of 5/16" grade 5 and grade 8 bolts. One Grade 5 has a sheer of 5,750 lbs & grade 8 is 6,980 lbs. That bracket has 3 bolts holding it on.

Don' t take me wrong I' m not pointing fingers. Just trying to analyze the situation. If there is a problem with one of systems we' ll be the first to admit it and to fix it. But we have been using this setup for a couple years now and this is the first instance.
Thanks for the feedback.

[kris hynum]

Not meaning to point fingers myself either Darren!I believe the bolts broke while lowering the truck stationary in the driveway!I found 1 of the broken bolts!i guess the movement of the axle against the friction of the tires is what sheared it!Or at least finished off 1 of them!Like i said,not putting blame but wanting to find the problem and correcting it!thanks for the feedback!Otherwise,I am very happy with the way it rides!