Topic: U-bolt help...

[Tr00b]

Hey guys, not exactly 4cyl Jeep related... Sorry if its in the wrong forum.

I use a trailer (home built by someone else) behind my Jeep to replace a truck. The last load was big and broke a leaf spring U-bolt. I just noticed it today when doing a pre-trip inspection... Luckily I hadn't loaded the trailer yet.

I've been trying to find these U-bolts for months: I knew the ubolts were rusted and were about to go.

The trailer axle beam is (we think) a Ford front end and had Ford style stamped steel wheels on it i.e. 5x5.5 bolt pattern. It has drum brakes that are no longer functional. They welded the tie rods to the frame to make it solid. I am thinking it might not be a Ford... I have been through everything Ford with no luck, nothing is even close. All I know is, its really friggin old.. Kingpins insted of ball joints... leaf springs on a front end... I can try to take pics the ones I have suck.

The leaf springs are 2 1/2" wide, the threaded side is 3 1/2" Long, and the thread dia is 7/16". I have been hesitant to have them custom ordered/bent because they may "exist" somewhere and a friend of mine had bad luck with some custom bent bolts (years ago). So far Rock Auto/internet has been a total bust.

Any advice what to do/where to go/a place where you had luck with custom bolts?

[neale_rs]

Are they square or U-shaped?  One important dimension is how wide they are.  I've seen u-bolts at auto parts stores and they can be bought on line too from many vendors.


http://www.autozone.com/autozone/accessories/Suspension-Steering-Accessories-and-Parts/Suspension-U-Bolt/_/N-25qq

[sharpxmen]

yep, what's the diameter of the axle tubes or width of the u-bolts (if like he said are square)

if they're round you can try bending a set of jeep ones, you can open or close them in a vice to get them to the size you need, if you close them you need to slide the plate on them once the ends are close so they won't close too much.

[Tr00b]

They are square... Wish they were round at this point, thats a great idea sharp.

[Jeffy]

I bought mine front Currie Enterprise.

[sharpxmen]

They are square... Wish they were round at this point, thats a great idea sharp.

the jeep ones are 1/2'' diameter, they're usually larger than the tube and they bend into shape when you tighten them. I got 5/8 ones in the rear and was able to tighten them in the vice (were about 1/4'' over the axle tube). Too bad yours are square - is the axle tube square or they go over the leafs?

[VA_YJ]

Deaver will make whatever you need:

http://www.deaverspring.com/products/ubolts.html

[VA_YJ]

Dorman has some standard square u-bolts (available through O'Reilly, Advance, etc.) if you want to avoid custom.  Also, Deaver does have a good reputation for custom parts - they are used by many of the Jeepspeed racers.

http://www.dormanproducts.com/catalog/motormite/159-164_u-w_part1.pdf

[Tr00b]

Hit jackpot maybe at O'Riley not right thread width at 1/2" but we will see! Was looking for fuses (long story) and stumbled across trailer parts!