U-Bolt Source

[earlymopar]

Have any of you found a source that has true "square" U-bolts for 2.5" wide springs (bottom picture). Several sources show their versions of square that are not truly square ends so the result is that the bolts do not sit flat on the springs. See below pictures for reference.

Thanks,

- EM

True Square U-Bolt.jpg (14.69 KiB) Viewed 1449 times

[dodgeboykim]

Don't think you will find the original style square top. The other style works just fine.

[PwrWgnDrvr]

The original style is weak at the squeezed/pinched square corner. Not pretty when they break! (been there, done that)
Get the new style with full radius at the bend. All the holding force is at the corners for both styles. There is minimal down force in the center of the flat section.

[712edf]

FWIW the taller the lift block the more strain that's put on the u-bolts, just in case you are dealing with them.

Bucky

[Hobcobble]

www.espo.com

John

[wally426ci]

I got mine from ESPO and was paranoid in a similar way. Here is what I did:

I used a $10 piece of 3/16" X 2" steel from Home Depot. I cut 2 x 4" pieces and marked center & drilled a hole to slip over the spring center nut.

Once I laid them out I realized that the U-Bolt was still not flush. I then marked the U-Bolt position and hit it with a rat tail file to get a small indent where they rest.

[earlymopar]

Thanks to everyone for your replies.

Wally, I have a plate similar to yours that I made earlier but for different reasons. However, it had the same effect of allowing the U-bolt sit flat.

Thanks,


- EM

[MrMopar]

My local spring shop made some that I needed for a trailer I was working on.


Alan

[Conrad]

www.espo.com
John

[Update] I found out why Espo is cheap - their quality control sucks. Each u-bolt they sent me is bent inwards at the threaded end about an 1/16 on each side so I’d have to bend back straight to fit in the axle - no thanks. My guess when they or whoever bends them they aren’t careful. What a waste of time and money. I’m going to give Alcan Springs a ring and have them send me a couple of pairs more of their u-bolts. Not cheap unfortunately but done right.]

We need to make this a tech reference thread if possible. I bookmarked it.

For the record
1) Espo - Laura is super cool. Price was so cheap I ordered 2 sets.

2) But, you will need to know the measurements of the bolts you need. These worked for our conversation.

Note: u-bolt measurements at http://www.sweptline.org/springs63_68/t17-07.gif
--quote--
To bend your u-bolts we need to know five things:
A. diameter of the bolt measured at the thread - 1/2"
B. distance from inside of one leg to inside of the opposite leg, measured close to the top away from the open end. 2-9/16"
C. distance from inside middle of the top to the end of the legs (I measured 3-1/2", she said that 3-5/8" was the common size, other suppliers have given me 4" which was a bit long) IMPORTANT to check the length of non-threaded bolt that needs to pass by springs and through axle.
D. shape of the top (round, square, semi-round) SQUARE
E. thickness of the current spring pack, measured close to the center bolt - I measured /6 1050# springs at 1-7/16". I don't have the current spring pack thickness, but it is more like 2"
--end quote--