Broken leaf spring U-bolt

[drovak]

When I was under the '31, I noticed a broken U-bolt. 

 

 

Here's a good one on the other side. 

 

 

What are my best options here for repairing or replacing this?

[JFranklin]

Check some auto/truck parts houses or a junk yard. U-bolts are a common part made in many sizes.

[Bloo]

Yeah, but look at the pictures....

 

I would take the old u-bolt to a blacksmith. I'm not kidding. See if there is one in your area. Otherwise, maybe a welding shop could repair it. Do you need it to look correct?

[Robert Engle]

What series 31 is your car?  I'll check to see if any 32 50 series ubolts will fit your car.  I think I may have some usable ones.

 

Bob Engle

[drovak]

I will see what a local blacksmith or welder can do. 

 

Bob, this is a Series 80. I haven't focused much on the suspension, but my gut tells me it'll be different, but I will try to take it off the car to get some measurements soon. 

[drovak]

The "square" of the U-bolt seems to be nominally 2" by 2" or so. Obviously, mine is distorted, so it's hard to know what correct should really be. 

 

The threaded rod sticks out 1.75" past the bottom of the square. 

 

I would love to know what year this failed!

[EmTee]

Seems to me that this could be repaired by cutting the broken bolt from the "U" and welding a new one on.  Looks like it has been broken for awhile, as the other bolt is distorted.  That one can probably be straightened and cleaned-up.

[Oregon Desert model 45]

Stengelbros.net is a source for new U bolts.   they make forged U bolts too but only in larger truck sizes. 

I haven't purchased from this supplier yet but do need to replace my U bolts since they are too short. 

 

 

https://www.stengelbros.net/5U-9090S-716-X-2-116-X-5S--12-Square-U-bolt-with-nuts-and-washers_p_14163.html

[Larry Schramm]

I had the same problem with on of the shackel bolts on one of my cars.  I took a grade 8 bolt that had enough threads to match the ones that broke off.

 

1. Cut off the new bolt to match the length of the old/other side bolt.

2. Milled out the old bolt remains on the shackel with the space on the sides of the U

3. Fitted the new bolt in the milled out groove

4. Welded the new bolt to the old U, both the inside and outside of the U

5. Just make sure that you do not put the bolt in the center of the U.  The inside of the bolt needs to match the flat inside.

6. Grind/finish the welding to match.

Edited October 26, 2022 by Larry Schramm (see edit history)

[Mark Shaw]

I had the same problem and used two new bolts welded to the original U part.  I also had a couple of broken leaves in the spring stack.  I had new ones made by a local industrial spring company that advised me to re-tighten the spring bolts after the first 100 miles.  I was told that broken leaves are mostly caused by loose U bolts.

 

Edited October 30, 2022 by Mark Shaw (see edit history)