The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline u-bolt alternatives

I'm trying to lower the rear end of my 1955.1 1/2 GMC but cant find any square u-bolts in my area. Are there any alternatives?

can i use round u bolts over the axle if i mount them under the brake line? will that give enough hold?

Do the square u-bolts need to fit snugly around everything or can they be 1/4in wider than the block and leafs?

thanks

Welcome to 'Bolt, Thapachuco. You might try checking with a spring shop, rather than the parts stores. Any good spring shop can make up new U bolts in any size you need, and they will be the correct shape and tensile strength for the application.

Take one of your U bolts with you for a pattern, and it usually takes 15 minutes at the spring shop.

Youre talking about a suspension place correct? I have called every darn place in San Jose and have yet to find anyone that can do it on the spot. There is one place about 40min away that will do 8 square u-bolts for $80!!! i could buy a complete kit for that price. Ridiculous.

I just got a call from Napa Auto, the have square u bolts 1/2in thread, 6in tall but they are a little wider at 2.25in.

Would that be safe to ride?

You might find what you need at a recreational, auto or camping trailer business.

Have you done lowering work before? If not, find a friend who has. putting your brake line under your u bolts is NOT a good idea.....

Try Stengel Brothers. They can make any sized u bolts you may need. I have dealt with them in the past and they produced everything they said they would.

http://www.stengelbros.com/U-bolts.htm

No i have not, but it looks pretty straight forward. I was not going to mount them over the brake lines, i was thinking of mounting them UNDER the brake lines.

Either way, the project is a no go, the block i was sold are too wide, the u-bolts are not long enough either. Plus, i dont think there will be enough clearance on the underside, it looks like a have about 5in between the axle and the bump stop, pretty sure if i hit a good bump, the axle will hit the stop.

rather than lowering blocks on stock ORIGINAL springs, im going to go with these:
speedway lowering springs
and use the factory u bolts, also i will either clean or get new shackles and hardware.

opinions? thanks for all the quick help!