379 peterbuilt hood hinge bolts?

Discussion in 'Peterbilt Forum' started by AES machine, Jul 24, 2023.

  1. AES machine

    AES machine Bobtail Member

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    Jul 24, 2023
    shallowater Texas
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    hey guys, new member here, im not a truck driver, although my brother in law owns a trucking company. I am a machinist, my machine shop is AES Machine LLC in Shallowater Texas. my brother in law wanted to see if i could machine some hood hinge bolts? I took some measurements of the new bolts he bought. I have a few questions.
    theres a steel sleeve that goes over the bolt, but the sleeve is only half the length of the bolt shank, then theres a black plastic sleeve over the steel sleeve. the plastic sleeve has 1/32" larger bore than the steel sleeve, it's a real sloppy fit!
    so, should the steel sleeve be the length of the bolt shank? if yes, why not machine the bolt shank the size of the steel sleeve, which will yield a stronger bolt and no need for the steel sleeve.
    should the plastic spacer be the length of the bolt shank also?
    I was thinking of machining a larger bolt with a hex head and a grease zert in the head with a cross hole in the bolt shank. If anyone has any pictures that would help me. if i had the parts that these hood hinge bolt go into, it would make this process easier. I really think these bolts can be machined better for less than what most truck shops charge.
     
    SL3406 and North Pole Nightmare Thank this.
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  3. Deezl Smoke

    Deezl Smoke Medium Load Member

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    Here is a youtube video link to a 379 operator that come up with his version of the greasable hinge.
    If you prefer to not follow links, I understand. Youtube search "379peterbilt hood" Spelled like that with no space between 379 and lower case peterbilt. By Arsen Trucking.
    So a lot of operators are looking for improvements.
     
  4. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    If memory serves me the sleeves only go in the hood portion of the hinge. The solid mounted part of the hinge isn't big enough to accept the bushings. But both are usually completely wore out before most think to replace them
     
    Deere hunter and Oxbow Thank this.
  5. AES machine

    AES machine Bobtail Member

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    Lester, do you think a brass or bronze bushing would be better than the plastic? i think it would last longer, plastic parts should be reserved for cars not semi trucks.
     
  6. lester

    lester Midwest's #1 Feed Hauler

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    I couldn't say. Brass or bronze are a fairly soft metal correct? But would they transfer more vibration? Would they wear out faster than plastic or would they wear out the hinge faster? Plastic is obviously soft but fairly resilient. I dunno. I'm not a machinist
     
    Oxbow Thanks this.
  7. AES machine

    AES machine Bobtail Member

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    shallowater Texas
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    Brass and Bronze are harder than plastic, softer than steel or aluminum. from the new hinge bolt that i measured, the plastic bushing had .032" larger ID than the steel sleeve. in other words, i could rattle the plastic bushing on the steel sleeve, so if truckers are noticing vibrations, that's where the vibrations are coming from. If you have machined parts that fit together correctly and are lubricated, no vibration will occur.
    i think i will have to machine a few different bolts and bushings, have my brother in law try them on his trucks. maybe send a few of these to some truckers on this forum and have them try them as well to get some " real world testing and feedback".
     
    lester Thanks this.
  8. AES machine

    AES machine Bobtail Member

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    almost finished with these prototype hood hinge bolts, i can't figure out how to post a image.
    i did post some pictures on my business LinkedIn page, you can search AES Machinellc on LinkedIn, and I'll try to figure out how to post pictures on this forum .
     
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2023
  9. AES machine

    AES machine Bobtail Member

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    Jul 24, 2023
    shallowater Texas
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    these hood hinge bolts are finished, forum member Deere Hunter installed them on his truck last night, these bolts have a recessed grease zerk, so they can be greased. these bolts are cnc machined from stress proof steel. if any members are interested in these hood hinge bolts,
    email me aesmachinellc@gmail.com

    thanks
     
    Diesel Dave and LameMule Thank this.
  10. Diesel Dave

    Diesel Dave Last Few of the OUTLAWS

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    Unload some pictures would be nice.
     
  11. LameMule

    LameMule Road Train Member

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    Better than 1,000 words it's been said...
     
    NightWind and Diesel Dave Thank this.
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