The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Big Bolts Help me do this SAFELY!

One of the piecees[saddle?] that holds the u-bolts inplace under the rear axle on my 66c-30 motor home needs to be replaced.The u-bolts are the ones holding the rear leafs on the axle.I have to remove the u-bolts and replace them on one side along with the saddle.Can this be done with every thing sitting on the ground or do i need to suport it or raise any thing.If so how heavy of a jack stand should i have.Im nervous of some thing shifting and geting squashed.Thanks,Ron

Hy Slow..Rider, If the springs are mounted under the axle you can't replace the "U" bolts or saddle while any weight on that side of the vehicle is on the ground. You must jack it up and support it on the frame with a jack stand first, hope this helps.

If axle is UNDER the spring, cut u-bolts off with a torch or sawzall, don't try to save them. They are cheap, along with plates at a spring shop. At least in my area. May need a bigger city for that, or try a big truck repair shop, they have sources. Also check condition of top plate, they sometimes rust bad, unless cast iron. Just don't try to drive or load the truck, and don't knock off the upper spring pack, if it has one. Hardest part is getting the torque high enough when installing. Ask the shop for torque setting if you don't have a manual with specs. The new U-bolts maybe longer, I just leave the extra on, or can be cut once installed. Don't forget the extra tall nuts and washers for them too.

I have seen it mentioned quite a few times, that when R&R'ing u-bolts, toss the old ones in the scrap pile and get new ones.

I have pulled u-bolts many times over the years and found no problem with reusing them. The SOP was to wire brush the long exposed threads clean, coat this area with Never Seize and remove the nuts.

Re-installation involved cleaning the thread area AGAIN and coating with oil or Never Seize before running the nut back on.

I thought u-bolts were sort of specific to the rig..axle tube diameter, length, and bolt diameter. These weren't available by just walking into your FLAPS and asking for a "u-bolt"


Stuart

stuart, no disrespect but gary is EXACTLY right about discarding the old u-bolts. for one thing the torque to properly seat the bolts will stetch the bolts. after 50 or so years of being on the truck, it makes sense they are not what they once were. besides, they cost about 4 bucks each.
now maybe stuart hasn't had any problems, but dave(me) hasn't won the lottery so i figure i ain't that lucky. if i tried to do that the bolt would bust, and take the centerbolt with it, and the whole mess, me included, would end up in the ditch.

I have "saved" a few bolts using the cleaning method, and running a die over ends before trying to remove nuts. Usually requires a big pipe on wrench or heavy air gun to get off. Sometimes the bolt still breaks after you have half twisted it off with turning. In many cases with an older rig, the U-bolt stock itself is very rusty, maybe even half missing where it passes thru the flange. That may be why it broke in first place, rusted thru. AND. once I had one where the bolt spread way wide, and the old ones are hard to bend back. These things are BIG diameters, 5/8" or 3/4" or even bigger.
Flaps won't have them, maybe in little 1/2" lift kits or such, but Spring shops have them, or many truck places can now make them to your measurements in a short time. Call around places in Yellow Pages, save the gas!

Gentlemen,

Stuart (me) hasn't had any u-bolt problems, but he will listen to Dave and Gary and follow what they recommend.

A differing opinion is never taken as disrespect koolkar..it's appreciated.

Stuart

re-use of the spring U bolts will rarely be an option in Wisc, or IN, or BC, but may sometimes be in Calif - depends on what you've seen what you're opinion may be!

Bill

Red58,You can add New York to the "rarely re-use U-bolts" list.They just love to salt the roads around here.The good news is we have a local spring shop where SHE will make up new U-bolts while you wait.Just bring her the specs or the old pieces.Her father(now deceased)taught her well.

gtow69,

red58 had other things in mind when he made the above post..he really wasn't concerned with the meat of the original thread!

What does a female blacksmith look like..sooty face, big biceps, hairy legs! Sounds like she might be a transplant from north of the 49th.


Stuart

actually the "meat of the threads" is exactly what I was thinkin of, and gtow69 as well - like I said depends on what you've seen - and I don't know where you've seen them sooty faced types, but it wasn't north of the 49th

Bill

and-------------------shania-------------!

Atomarc,No sooty face or hairy legs type, but she can sure toss those spring sets around.I went to school with her 100 years ago and she was sorta cute back then.
PS to Bill(Red 58)Very pretty and
the truck ain't bad either!

Thanks G.L.The axle is under the leaf spring.Ive got it parked with the front slighly higher than the back.I did not know if it was safe to just cut the bolt or if some thing needed to be jacked up.I was concerned with some thing shifting when i cut the second u bolt.Iwas going to do this tomorrow but at -23, i think ill wait a while.

hey red58, are you near wisc, read the event/gabster section, from peggy, stovebolt.com gathering in fox lake wisc july 28th

wow where'dja dig up this thread??
no, also west of the 122nd, but if I ever get this project done and take the grand tour I'll check in