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Reasons to Check Your U Bolts

Reasons to Check Your U-Bolts

Although extremely important, U-bolts may be one of the most overlooked components of the leaf spring suspension system. These invaluable pieces of the suspension can mean the difference between a well functioning system and failure that can lead to damage of the leaf springs they hold.

How Are U-Bolts Used?

A U-bolt is a bolt that is threaded at both ends and is shaped like the letter “U”, but can come in a round U shape, a square U shape or a semi-round U shape depending on the needs of the suspension. It is one of the major parts of the leaf spring suspension and provides a permanent tie between the spring leaves. U-Bolts go around the axle and hold the leaf spring bundle tightly on the underside of the axle.

This is especially important if the leaf springs do not have spring clips to securely hold the leaves together in the bundle. By tightly holding the leaf spring against the axle, the springs can then absorb the shock that is applied to your suspension when your wheels go over rough terrain since the shock will be transferred from the axle to the springs.

What Can go Wrong with U-Bolts?

Like any bolt, the biggest problem that can happen with a U-bolt is for the nut to become loose. This is made easier by the fact that the suspension system and the U-bolts within it are constantly subjected to vibrations and jolts when you are driving. When the nuts become loose, a couple of things can happen. The first of which is that the U-bolt itself can start hitting against the axle. It is designed to be tightly held against the leaf spring, and this constant striking can lead to bolt breakage.

Secondly, even if the bolts are not to the point of rattling around, they can become slack resulting in the shorter leaf springs within the leaf spring bundle to move sideways. If caught early, you can tap the leaf springs back into place and re-tighten the U-bolts, but if left unattended, this can allow your leaf springs to become disassembled.

Where to Buy All of Your Suspension System Needs?

Our experts at General Spring have been an authority in the design and installation of automotive leaf spring and suspension products since 1965, and in this time we’ve mastered what it takes to keep a suspension working smoothly. By keeping many items in stock we can supply quality products with fast shipping, low prices. Furthermore, we can easily check the quality before shipping to our customers due to our factory direct approach.

If you need a heavy-duty option for your car, truck, van, SUV, or you just need to replace broken or worn factory springs, we can replace them. If we don’t have them in stock, we can custom design one for you. So give us a call today or contact us online ! If you are local you can call us at 913-829-0619, and national customers can call us toll free at 888-829-0619. When you need suspension products of any kind, we are here to help.

Reasons to Check Your U-Bolts

Although extremely important, U-bolts may be one of the most overlooked components of the leaf spring suspension system. These invaluable pieces of the suspension can mean the difference between a well functioning system and failure that can lead to damage of the leaf springs they hold.

How Are U-Bolts Used?

A U-bolt is a bolt that is threaded at both ends and is shaped like the letter “U”, but can come in a round U shape, a square U shape or a semi-round U shape depending on the needs of the suspension. It is one of the major parts of the leaf spring suspension and provides a permanent tie between the spring leaves. U-Bolts go around the axle and hold the leaf spring bundle tightly on the underside of the axle.

This is especially important if the leaf springs do not have spring clips to securely hold the leaves together in the bundle. By tightly holding the leaf spring against the axle, the springs can then absorb the shock that is applied to your suspension when your wheels go over rough terrain since the shock will be transferred from the axle to the springs.

What Can go Wrong with U-Bolts?

Like any bolt, the biggest problem that can happen with a U-bolt is for the nut to become loose. This is made easier by the fact that the suspension system and the U-bolts within it are constantly subjected to vibrations and jolts when you are driving. When the nuts become loose, a couple of things can happen. The first of which is that the U-bolt itself can start hitting against the axle. It is designed to be tightly held against the leaf spring, and this constant striking can lead to bolt breakage.

Secondly, even if the bolts are not to the point of rattling around, they can become slack resulting in the shorter leaf springs within the leaf spring bundle to move sideways. If caught early, you can tap the leaf springs back into place and re-tighten the U-bolts, but if left unattended, this can allow your leaf springs to become disassembled.

Where to Buy All of Your Suspension System Needs?

Our experts at General Spring have been an authority in the design and installation of automotive leaf spring and suspension products since 1965, and in this time we’ve mastered what it takes to keep a suspension working smoothly. By keeping many items in stock we can supply quality products with fast shipping, low prices. Furthermore, we can easily check the quality before shipping to our customers due to our factory direct approach.

If you need a heavy-duty option for your car, truck, van, SUV, or you just need to replace broken or worn factory springs, we can replace them. If we don’t have them in stock, we can custom design one for you. So give us a call today or contact us online ! If you are local you can call us at 913-829-0619, and national customers can call us toll free at 888-829-0619. When you need suspension products of any kind, we are here to help.