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I removed my bed and found that one of my U bolts holding the Dana 60 to the leaf springs had broken. The tip and nut were gone. I'm thinking this the perfect opportunity to replace the 50+ year old bolts. Do you agree? Can someone pls tell me where I can find some quality U bolts to fit?
Get 4 new ones and replace all 4 and do a 25, 50, 75, 100 and 250 driven mile torque ck. I bet you have to tighten them a few times. Also a great time to insp and replace the shackle bushings on the front and rear of the rear leaf springs.
We at the dealer used to have them custom made up at the driveline shop
I probably have the one you need in my selection
Those nylon lock nuts are not factory and the bolts should be a bit longer
The overload springs may have been put on there and the U bolts not replaced
I'd get new U bolts, factory nuts and washers, that should fix it up right
That is who made ours
They are gone from our area unfortunately
They were plenty strong enough, and did not have rolled threads where the shank is smaller than the threads
I've used them a couple times, great service, well made, come with deep well nuts (more threads) and washers, will custom make too. I do my torque a few times, then when finished, I'll run a plain nut up against the well nut to lock it, and will usually cut the excess thread flush just above the second nut, smooth with file, and then I paint them ..... a lot.
Hey guys. I was going to order new U bolts and went out to measure everything first. I found that the U bolts in there now measure .565". According to my online chart that equates to a 9/16" bolt (.562). But the bolts at Ace hardware show this to be a 5/8" bolt. And the U bolt in it now are loose in the plate holes. The holes measure .625", and that is a 5/8 bolt hole. Shouldn't the U bolts fit snug through the holes? I'm thinking that Ace got mixed up or something and that I should have 5/8 U bolts, or do I need a bit of free play in the plate holes?
Thanks guys.
Last edited by F-250 restorer; Jan 12, 2026 at 01:23 PM.
Done. I feel much better knowing that I am going to have the proper grade 8 U bolts installed. Now it's on the R&Ring the leaf spring bushings.
This thread was supposed be about prepping for paint and has grown to window replacement, window crank mechanism replacement, sound deadening Kilmat installation, floor pan R&R, rain gutter R&R, U bolt replacement, and ... maybe more?
P.S. ordered new grade 8 U bolts and shackle bushings too. I wonder if the bushings in the leafs now are original.
Last edited by F-250 restorer; Jan 12, 2026 at 04:31 PM.
They'll work either way, but the 9/16" will be easier to fit through two holes at once, they don't have to fit tight in those holes. 9 divided by 16 is 0.5625.
Be prepared to fight the bolts out the uppr and lower rear shackle and the all bushings. And be prepared to discover that if the rear lower bolt will not come out and the upper is installed from the frame side going out. And with the suspention installed you can not get the upper bolt out, because the frame rail is in the way.
New bolts...cut the old bolt heads off. Carefully pry the leaf free of the shackle. To remove the bushings, use a press or garage floor way, use a thin metal blade like in a jig saw or a thin one that goes in a sawzall. Blade has to be small enough to go inside the bushing length wise, and cut it in 2 piece. And or...this way to get the sleeve out.
That is who made ours
They are gone from our area unfortunately
They were plenty strong enough, and did not have rolled threads where the shank is smaller than the threads
I forgot to say, the Sengle Bros. ones did have rolled threads.
If you go with 5/8, odds are the new bolts will not fit over the axle tube. If they do, odds are they won't fit through the plate holes. 9/16 will be more than adequate. Probably have a few fitting issues with these also but be doable.
Be prepared to fight the bolts out the uppr and lower rear shackle and the all bushings. And be prepared to discover that if the rear lower bolt will not come out and the upper is installed from the frame side going out. And with the suspention installed you can not get the upper bolt out, because the frame rail is in the way.
New bolts...cut the old bolt heads off. Carefully pry the leaf free of the shackle. To remove the bushings, use a press or garage floor way, use a thin metal blade like in a jig saw or a thin one that goes in a sawzall. Blade has to be small enough to go inside the bushing length wise, and cut it in 2 piece. And or...this way to get the sleeve out.
Thanks for the tips. I had no idea it was/will be so difficult.
Originally Posted by headloct
If you go with 5/8, odds are the new bolts will not fit over the axle tube. If they do, odds are they won't fit through the plate holes. 9/16 will be more than adequate. Probably have a few fitting issues with these also but be doable.
Well, I have already ordered the 5/8 set. I will try to change the order. Thx.
P.S. The order of the 5/8 U bolts has already shipped. Hopefully I can make them work. If the inside distance from thread to thread is what I specified when I ordered them, then they should slip right over the diff. tubes. We'll see. Getting in the plate holes is another matter.
Last edited by F-250 restorer; Jan 13, 2026 at 10:57 AM.
