I was cleaning up my frame and axles for painting and see that the bottom plate for one side of my rear leaf springs is broken. The U-bolts don't look totally healthy either. They look badly rusted where road dirt and moisture have been sitting in the lower plate. Any good source for replacements? U-bolts I am thinking can probably be made up at a suspension shop, but are those plates special to that truck?
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
Might have to do that. I have to go into KMS and get some more oxygen for my torch. The impact couldn't budge it. Once I get it off I'll see exactly where I stand.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
Mike B, Chrome doesn't suggest going to that site because the "certificate" is compromised and out of date. I got slowed down today. Went to go fill up my oxygen tank for my torch and it's out of date. Had to take it in to get re-certified and filled. Another day lost at least. Good thing it looks like we are going to be on a stretch of better weather! It has been so danged wet here basically all spring and into summer.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
Super 55 That U-bolt place probably work with a full size template. Our local shop wont touch those till they get your old ones. The bench in there is 2 inch thick plate,when he steps on the button things BEND. Always aim to be in there to see it !!!
Mike B, Chrome doesn't suggest going to that site because the "certificate" is compromised and out of date. I got slowed down today. Went to go fill up my oxygen tank for my torch and it's out of date. Had to take it in to get re-certified and filled. Another day lost at least. Good thing it looks like we are going to be on a stretch of better weather! It has been so danged wet here basically all spring and into summer.
If it helps, I want to support Mike B's suggestion of using Uboltsdirect. I highly recommend this company.
I recently finished a heavy trailer project where I built my own axles. The ubolts I needed where not a standard size, but no problem for Uboltsdirect. They can make you any kind of ubolt you might need.
-David
1953 2-Ton GMC
I'm a machinist... because engineers need heroes too.
Used the fire wrench to get the nuts off and free up the U-bolts from the bottom plate. The bolts rusted down from 3/4 to 5/8. One bracket is heavily damaged and the other is just starting to crack!
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
I posted an update. Thanks for the suggestions. I was able to find the u-bolts locally and I figured why not just fix the broken plates. I sometimes just think I have to get new stuff all the time. Funny thing is I follow a guy on Youtube who is a wheel right, https://www.youtube.com/user/EngelsCoachShop/videos and his latest video showed him brazing up some worn out bolts. I thought of that for a minute, but for $100 I got four new bolts. Probably would have spent half of that for some brazing rods and die cutter to chase the threads.
A day without laughter is a day wasted- Charlie Chaplin When wrestling a grizzly bear, you have to keep at it until the bear gets tired, not when you get tired. 1948 Chevy 2-Ton
Super 55 Spring shop can make new u-bolts,any welding shop should be able to make a copy of those saddle plates out of heavy steel. I made my own for 3100,never made ,well guess I did make them for my 51 6400. Also turned out an aluminum wedge for pinion angle. If you are a weldor make your own !!
