pflaming Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 Are the U-bolts difficult to replace? It would be so much easier to torch them to remove them than to work off the nuts? Quote
TodFitch Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 Depends on how rusty the threads are. The nuts on the U-bolts on the springs on my car came off pretty easily. Have you tried to unbolt them? Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 Why not run a thread chaser on the threads before attempting nut removal? I do it all the time and it works...swell! Of course lube them up too. Bob Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 the use of the die before removal plus lube should get them puppies of without any problem..I recently removed a set in said manner and it was a breeze..however..if all else fails..just torch them..lots of folks are against reuse of these as it is..they are not that expensive and available in various lengths.. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 New replacement U bolts are available at most any auto parts store. Quote
pflaming Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Posted March 9, 2012 I read, somewhere, that when the trucks were new, it was recommended that the u-bolts be torqued every 30 days for 90 days. Question: (1) at what 'pressure' should the bolts be torqued, and (2) do most retorque them like we do the heads? Nice to know these things ahead before disassembling. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 In my shop manual I couldn't find a torque spec, but I did find this statement listed under "Maintenance" in the Springs section. "Always keep the U-bolts tightened securely. Spring breakage at or near the center of the spring is usually caused by loose U-bolts, which cause the entire stress to be placed on the center of the spring leaves. The nuts on the U-bolts should be tightened at least three times during the first month and about once every month for the succeeding six months of initial operation." Merle Quote
pflaming Posted March 9, 2012 Author Report Posted March 9, 2012 Is this recommendation followed today, or are new U-bolts of a better quality? I'm certain my dad did not do that to his new '53 Ford 1/2 ton. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 we tightened my U bots HARD! About all we could give it to get them gutntite! Quote
Young Ed Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 The u bolts for my pickup are square at the top and if yours are that way too I would do my best to save them. Quote
ggdad1951 Posted March 9, 2012 Report Posted March 9, 2012 Ahh yes, using German torque. ya vol! The u bolts for my pickup are square at the top and if yours are that way too I would do my best to save them. mine are as well, we lubed a TON and chased the threads and with a little heat they came off. Quote
pflaming Posted March 10, 2012 Author Report Posted March 10, 2012 (edited) Nice surprise, the bolts came loose with a box end wrench and 73 year old shoulders! Yes, the bottom side of the bolt is flat. Any suggestions on what's involved to remove the springs from the shackles? The shackles all took grease, so I'm not going to mess with them. Edited August 30, 2018 by pflaming Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted March 10, 2012 Report Posted March 10, 2012 The u bolts for my pickup are square at the top and if yours are that way too I would do my best to save them. Thats why I would save them too. A lot of the OE factory U-Bolts are unique in design and replacements today are just threaded round stock. Now days I'd bet the quality of the steel is less than what was OE factory equipment. Unless they are really rusty I'd chase them and re use em. I/2 bolts are small! Quote
Dan Babb Posted March 10, 2012 Report Posted March 10, 2012 The springs are a bitch to get out (at least the rear bolts are). Soak the rear bushings for days. To get mine loose, I needed to heat up the eye of the spring and use a long breaker bar with a helper tube on the end. When taking out the driver side, the shackle wound up breaking...it was siezed up bad and just wouldn't let go. If one does break on you, you can get replacement shackles at www.rareparts.com Watch this video to see how to get the front of the rear springs out. I was able to do it with the bed on the truck...just a bit more work. You'd have a bit more space if you don't have the running boards on the truck. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 10, 2012 Report Posted March 10, 2012 you can get replacement shackles at www.rareparts.com I believe car schackels differ from truck shackles. I made new schackles for my car. I made them slightly longer for a bit of rake. Quote
pflaming Posted March 10, 2012 Author Report Posted March 10, 2012 WOW! Those two videos were EXCELLENT! Thanks for the link. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.