Rear U-bolts

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Jul 17, 2012 | 04:57 PM

Pappys53

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Laughing Gas

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From: Missouri

Rear U-bolts

I am finally getting ready to put in the 9in rear end. I am planning on removing the 3 overload leafs. Where can I find new u-bolts to mount the rearend? I do not think the stock size will work.

Jul 17, 2012 | 05:24 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

I'm in the middle of this on my '52. The local shops can make the "squared off" type u-bolts to order.

A couple of things I wasn't prepared for; first, the perch / pinion angle. If you use shims to correct the angle (may not be necessary on a '53), the shims are $50!! or more. And you have to replace the center bolt on the springs to make the shim part of the spring pack. Or you can move the perches, which is what I'm doing.

Also, the bottom plate is a big deal. Maybe on a '53 the springs are wider than a '52, which would be good, but I had a real hard time getting a plate that is close to the stock spring width.

Jul 17, 2012 | 09:32 PM

bobbytnm

Roast em' if you got 'em

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From: Rio Rancho, NM

I can't remember, are the springs 2" or 2 1/2".
Check this out;
Leaf Spring Pinion Angle Shims - Speedway Motors, America's Oldest Speed Shop

http://www.summitracing.com/search/P...n-Angle-Shims/

Bobby

Jul 17, 2012 | 10:05 PM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

I'd be cautious about using aluminum wedges, my son used those and cracked them in short order (not beating on them)

Jul 18, 2012 | 08:17 AM

petemcl

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Joined: Nov 2011

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From: Northville, MI

It looks like Summit Racing has all types and sizes of U-bolts. http://www.summitracing.com/search/?keyword=spring%20ubolts&dds=1

As Ross pointed out unless you get lucky you will probably need to shim the axle to get the right driveline angle. The solid aluminum wedges from Summit Racing are pretty much an industry standard even used occasionally by OEMs and should be OK. The skeleton-type shown on the Speedway site are more suspect. Also I would't use multiple shims. Buy the correct degree shim. The alternative is to re-weld the spring perches in the correct position. To do either you need to start with an accurate measurement. The Kent-Moore tool for measuring driveline angle has a magnet that holds to a U-joint cap. It is a little hard to get the right angle without it. Here is one on eBay: Kent - Moore J-23498-A DRIVESHAFT INCLINOMETER.

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Jul 21, 2012 | 02:15 AM

1oldtimer

Laughing Gas

Joined: Apr 2009

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From: orange county, ca.

I got all my stuff from Mid Fifty.

REAR AXLE CONVERSION KIT, AXLE BELOW SPRINGS,
Converting to popular Ford 9” or any axle with a 3” housing. Includes:
Seat Pads, Tie Plates, Shock Mounts and U bolts
Requires welding shock mount to axle . . . . .2881 . . . . . . . .$89.00 kit
Same Kit With SHOCK STUDS . . . . . . . . . .2881-WSS . . .$99.00 kit

Or in parts:

U-BOLTS with high strength extra deep spring rated nuts.
Threaded extra long for use with Stock, Mono or Short Stack springs.

REAR SPRING, 3” AXLE HOUSING . . . . .2873 . . . . . . . . .$8.50 ea.

U-BOLT TIE PLATES 3” Axle housing (9”) . . . .2885 . . . . . . . .$10.00 ea.
Original axle has 2 1/2” Axle housing . . .2885-25 . . . . .$12.00 ea.

The Tie Plates are the ones really needed from Mid Fifty, you need the ones for a 3" axle BUT for the STOCK spring width (their catalog doesn't say anymore, so call). The stock rear spring width is 2" and the donor '70-'72 truck rear leaf spring is 2 1/2" wide. Mine looked like it was walking around a little, even though the u bolt were tight and it shaved my bump stops too.

Before pic:

Notice the shaved bumps stops on the left side and also notice how the u bolts aren't up against the leaf or the leaf seat on the side. The PO used these parts from the donor truck.

Jul 21, 2012 | 10:35 AM

ALBUQ F-1

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From: NM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1oldtimer

....notice how the u bolts aren't up against the leaf or the leaf seat on the side. The PO used these parts from the donor truck.

That is something I'm concerned about on mine. In the stock arrangement, the u-bolts are tight against the sides of the springs and perch to eliminate the need for spring clips for the bottom 3 or 4 leaves. Do you have any problems with the lowest leaves spinning with that gap? I was thinking of putting short sections of tubing over the u-bolts to reduce the gap.