Hey all, I'll be putting my new leaf springs in in a few days and I want all new hardware. I have the shackles, and the springs, obviously, but I need to know the size of the U bolts for the axle tubes, and the size of the front bolts where the leafs bolt to the underbody. Thanks for any help. -Corbin
congrats corbin! you're gonna love the handling with the new springs!. as far as the u-bolts go, there has to be a spring shop there in the valley. i wrestled ONE u-bolt from the car, took it to a springshop and asked for "4 of these" 30 minutes and 30 bucks later they made me new ones!. used a sawzall to cut the others off. even with a breaker bar they were mothers to get off! as far as the bolts go i just went to a local mom n pop hardware store and asked for "2 of these" i know i didn't answer your question but this worked for us! :bananaman
I picked my ubolts at the parts store where I do most of my biz. On the leaf bushing bolt I am using what i got with the caltracs. Otherwise I would use a grade 8 bolt. I buy most of my bolts, fasteners and stuff from Lawson, buddy of mine is a salesman for them,, high quality stuff. Dan
Corbin I replaced my bolts from Reliable Hardward next door to Mead Clark Lumber. Go with GRADE 5 as they will bend before snapping like a GRADE 8 will. As stated abov, just bring in your bolts and they will match. Great service, great prices as they are a contractors supply house. I have bought MANY of my fasteners there.. Scott Their # is 707-545-7822 2707 Down Dr Santa Rosa
Thanks guys, I guess I'll try out the Reliable Hardware place and see if they'll help me. Grade 5, Thanks. -Corbin
Bend Snap Dan, I am NO expert. Was told by a chassis builder locally that they use grade 5 on anyting that has a shear load i.e. engine mounts, suspension etc.. Grade 8 for items that have no shear load i.e. heads, blowers etc...just an opinion though Scotty P
I guess the results of testing grade 8 bolts on the springs might not be all that suspenseful, after all! I said that just for the shear pleasure!
It is true that harder/stonger materials tend to be more brittle. With that being said even grade 8 bolts are manufactured to have enough ductility to use in just about all applications. They have to be able to stretch a little without breaking when they are stetched with a nut, etc. And even though a grade 8 bolt is more brittle and may not stretch as much as a grade 5 bolt, it will take a larger force for it to even begin to stretch in the first place. In something like U bolts supporting a rear end, they really can't deform at all if they're going to last.
