Wrenches for Clayton jam nuts?

[dlong1119]

What is everyone using for tightening the jam nuts on the Clayton lift parts? Hoping to get started on my 2.5" Overland+ install tomorrow and the instructions say some of them are 1-7/16" and some are 1-13/16". Are they all accessible with just a large (15") crescent wrench when it comes time to tighten them down?

I feel like I have a better-than-average stocked garage and have been wrenching on F-150s, Explorers and Rangers for years, but I don't have anything wrench-like (aside from a couple of pipe wrenches) that goes that big. I stopped by Harbor Freight today and grabbed 2 crescent wrenches but wasn't sure if those are going to cut it or if there's something that works a lot better.

- Adding info -
After researching and talking to Clayton, their instructions call for the wrong sizes. The actual specs for the nuts are 1-1/2" or 1-7/8", but they want you to use the tightest fitting wrench possible. It looks like Motobilt Jam Nut Wrench Set 1, linked below, should work, but the Motobilt Jam Nut Wrench Set 2 which contains the sizes from the instructions, does not work :
https://motobilt.com/collections/tools/products/jam-nut-wrench-set

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[Gregj]

I used a big Crescent wrench on my Metal Cloak arms.
Gregj

 

[Philly_]

You could use just about anything you can get over the jam nut, but if you want to torque to spec, crows feet are the best way I know of.

Those are large sizes, but you can find them on Amazon.

 

[dlong1119]

Good info, thanks guys. Doesn't sound like Clayton really gives a torque spec, aside from get it as tight as possible and then tighten some more, lol. That said, I guess the crescent wrench and a cheater bar will suffice!

 

[word302]

What is everyone using for tightening the jam nuts on the Clayton lift parts? Hoping to get started on my 2.5" Overland+ install tomorrow and the instructions say some of them are 1-7/16" and some are 1-13/16". Are they all accessible with just a large (15") crescent wrench when it comes time to tighten them down?

I feel like I have a better-than-average stocked garage and have been wrenching on F-150s, Explorers and Rangers for years, but I don't have anything wrench-like (aside from a couple of pipe wrenches) that goes that big. I stopped by Harbor Freight today and grabbed 2 crescent wrenches but wasn't sure if those are going to cut it or if there's something that works a lot better.

Be careful with those HF crescent wrenches. They’re got garbage and you’ll round you’re nuts off if you’re not careful, and who wants rounded nuts?

 

[dlong1119]

Be careful with those HF crescent wrenches. They’re got garbage and you’ll round you’re nuts off if you’re not careful, and who wants rounded nuts?

Good to know, thanks. HF is typically only for tools that are going to be used very infrequently in my book, but I've got to make a trip out to Lowes in the morning so I'll see what they have available.

 

[word302]

Good to know, thanks. HF is typically only for tools that are going to be used very infrequently in my book, but I've got to make a trip out to Lowes in the morning so I'll see what they have available.

Your best bet is a quality set of crows feet. Even those will slip if you’re not careful. Metalcloak makes some that wrap more than 2 sides. Not sure if they’re the right size for you but there are others out there as well.

1/2-Inch Drive Deluex Metric... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076KYCDLH?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

 

[word302]

For reference Rock Krawler recommends 250-300 ft-lbs on their 1” jam nuts and 275-325 ft-lbs on their 1-1/4” jam nuts. Not sure how big yours are but it’s not for the faint of heart.

 

[lashlee]

Motobilt makes a set of "wrenches" that could be big enough, and Metal Cloak makes some for the sizes nuts used on their links.

 

[Roky]

Good to know, thanks. HF is typically only for tools that are going to be used very infrequently in my book, but I've got to make a trip out to Lowes in the morning so I'll see what they have available.

You can use a HF crescent wrench, just use it on the flats of the bar and use a crow foot on torque wrench for the nut…….then use your LoD bumper to hold the crescent while you jump up and down on the torque wrench to get it to 250 ftlbs … ?

 

[dlong1119]

Motobilt makes a set of "wrenches" that could be big enough, and Metal Cloak makes some for the sizes nuts used on their links.

Awesome find on those Motobilt wrench sets, they have a Set 1 and a Set 2 which both have 5 pieces covering 10 sizes. Set 2 covers the sizes that Clayton calls for, and at $75 it's not a bad price compared to everything else I was seeing on Amazon which was typically made in China and of unknown quality. Order has been placed, hopefully they're in stock and get shipped out tomorrow so I'll have them Friday or Saturday.

The Metalcloak wrenches don't cover the sizes needed.

 

[dlong1119]

You can use a HF crescent wrench, just use it on the flats of the bar and use a crow foot on torque wrench for the nut…….then use your LoD bumper to hold the crescent while you jump up and down on the torque wrench to get it to 250 ftlbs … ?

I'll keep that in mind, except I don't have a LoD bumper to hold it for me! I'll have to improvise that part, lol.

What part of Florida are you in?

 

[Roky]

I'll keep that in mind, except I don't have a LoD bumper to hold it for me! I'll have to improvise that part, lol.

What part of Florida are you in?

Citrus county

 

[dlong1119]

Citrus county

Gotcha, only an hour or so away from me!

 

[Roky]

Gotcha, only an hour or so away from me!

Yup……practically neighbors…lol..

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