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Reusing U-bolts?

carpeonnel

carpeonnel

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I recently read that it's not recommended to reuse u-bolts that you've already torqued down on a suspension. Is it just a manufacturers recommendation or should I have down this? I ask this because I've had my u-bolts on and off repeatedly while trying to dial in my suspension
 
You are not suppose to re-use them, they stretch every time you torque them & this weakens them & keeps them from being able to hold there torque.

I have re-used them many times because I was low on cash or too lazy to drive an hour to get some more & never had a problem. If you decide to continue to use them, they could fail. You never know.
 
I just had this conversation with my grandpa this weekend owned and operated a spring shop for over 30 years yea they strech but only to a point good u bolts are good to go as long as they are in good condition sounds like yours are.
I asked him if its a gimik or what he said preety much u bolts are a good grade steel and can be reused.

My theroy they are like head bolts or any other critical bolt yea they should be replaced but is it over kill probably. 0.02 I plan on and am reusing mine.
How many times have you read of a ubolt breaking??
 
that's what I thought. I've took these on and off probably 5 or 6 times. I know my u-bolts are grade 8 stuff so I'm not too worried about it, but then again I might go ahead and replace them with new stuff in the future when I finally get my suspension where I want it
 
We re-use all sorts of other lifesaving bolts on these trucks, u-bolts are no different. If anything, better to re-use than the others, based on their diameter and fine threads.
 
Your not supposed to , we do anyway . I have four years on mine since I removed them to do the shackle flip .

I recently replaced them with another used set , seems like constantly checking them for torque , and giving a little turn to the nuts , has started stripping the threads at the springplate hole ( could be wheeling too ? but unsure , all was tight ) . So out they went
 
Do you actually use a torque wrench on yours?

Just curious, wondering about the stripped portion...used u-bolts when I put the 10 bolts in my rig originally (about 6 years on those) and then used u-bolts on the 14SF in the truck now (maybe 2 years?). Both sets were factory though, and neither had been disassembled AFAIK before I took them off the donor trucks.

Be interesting to see what the service manuals say about it. Would need to see one out of the 70's though, the later manuals tend to be more about major parts replacement, and less about intelligent problem analysis.
 
dyeager535 said:
Do you actually use a torque wrench on yours?
Click to expand...

I have a 20 year old beam type for mains , rods , and heads .

My ubolts gets the big boy leaning into it with a 15/16 wrench and another wrench on it , or the piece of pipe over the 1/2 drive ratchet handle .

I may have overtightened them cranking them every few months when I grease my truck , but I did use the new longer nuts from the block kit ( never installed the blocks ) on my u bolts so they had more thread area .
 
I put a 15/16 socket on them when I think about it, with my 1/2" socket wrench. As much force as I can get on it, but haven't had them move any since I installed them. People got me paranoid saying they were gonna fail. :)
 
I have reused some a few times with no issues.
Though once I had it dialed in I got new ones bent up and saved 2 of the old ones for trail spares should one break. Which I have never seen personally with 10+ years of wheeling.
I do check them often though to make sure they are tight, so I may be a little paranoid. Once in a while ill get another 1/8th turn.
 
i'm on a used set right now. stock fronts and use lift kit rears. i don't want to bother buying new ones right now because i want to replace the blocks with a shackle flip or springs once i decided if i really like it better lifted.
 
yeah, I've always reused my u-bolts when applicable cuz I never heard you were used to replace them and have never had a problem. I just wanted to make sure this wasn't some huge problem I some how missed
 
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