The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Rear end U-Bolts? Do they come out without cutting?

Hi everyone,

It's been awhile since I was here, but it's also been awhile since I've looked at my project. I finally found the parts I've been searching for over 2 years for.

Anyway my question is, do the U-bolts that hold the rear axle assembly to the trailing arms come out without torching them? I penetrating oiled the heck out of them. I tried with an impact, a breaker bar and pipe, and heating the nuts with a torch and turning with an impact. I got one to come all the way to the end of the threads and stop, and another to just start loosening. I had the nuts glowing red hot, and they still don't want to come off.

I bought a 1972 C10 chassis, and want to swap the rear end into my 1966 C10. I don't have a problem with buying two new U-Bolts for my 1966. I intended to anyway. But at $15.00 to $20.00 each, I'd like to save two old ones so I can put the 1966 rear end back into the 1972 frame to be able to roll it around. It seems a waste to put $30.00 to $40.00 into a frame I have no use for.


Thanks for any tips and/or advice you can offer. I've never had nuts/bolts this stubborn before, and these aren't even rusty.

Thanks,
Tom

As a general rule they don't like to come off in one piece.

U bolts and the nuts should not be reused to start with. I have not read anywhere that it's OK to reuse then, and I have read plenty of places that once removed they should be discarded and new installed.

In your case they are being stubborn, that makes the decision easier to throw them away and buy new, the safe choice.

Grigg

Thanks guys.

Yes, the breaker bar is a Snap-On, so it is under warranty. However, I certainly don't want to bend it like you said may happen. That thought never crossed my mind, next time I'll use a cheaper breaker bar in case I do bend it.

I may try splitting the nuts, that never crossed my mind to try. Thanks for the tip.

I don't intend to reuse the bolts and nuts for anything other than making the 1972 frame roll so it's easy to move. I plan to buy new ones for my 1966 frame, but hate the thought of throwing $30.00 or $40.00 away to make a frame I have no use for rollable.

Thanks again,
Tom

Most tool distributors sell a nut splitter that makes the job a lot easier. It's a device that fits around the nut, and drives a wedge into the side of the nut with a jack screw. I've used one for a lot of years on shock absorber nuts and exhaust pipe clamps. Running a die down over the U bolt threads should allow you to re-use the bolts, particularly if you don't intend to put the vehicle back on the road.
Jerry

Sometimes I like to drill down the side of the nut and then use the chisel.

Thanks again for the tips guys. I'll give it a try tomorrow, and post how it turns out here. I appreciate you all taking the time to read and respond.

Thanks,
Tom

die grinder and chisel

I'm having the exact same problem with my 57... I have all 8 nuts off (3 BROKE off.lol) On the rear u-bolts, I am going to try to use my die grinder on them and see if I can get them to slide down through the top. I can't believe they are this rusted!
Dano

I got my rear u-bolts and shackles apart today! Here's my reply in the other thread I started: http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/cgi-bin//ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=014764
Happy bolting!
Dano

Maybe grind through the u-bolt on both sides of the u so there is basically two staight pieces of bolt with the u section removed. Then beat the bolt backwards through the trailing arm.
Not sure that works for you but it did for me.
Seems like a lot of my projects that should leave behind good leftover parts turn into projects that leave behind good leftover scrap metal.
I have been building piles of good leftover scrap metal for ahwile now and it gets easier to accept as time goes by.
GOOD LUCK,
JoeG.