- buy a grade 8 & grind the head to fit. It doesnt get all that much load with those 2 big u bolts around it. JMHO!
Leaf spring center bolt
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
Leaf spring center bolt
Hey, can anyone direct me to where I can get a replacement center bolt? Working on a 92 F350, and one spring pack has the center bolt broken. Is there anywhere I can get a replacement, or will I have to just modify a grade 8 bolt to work? The reason it broke is PO ran it with the u-bolts loose, putting the strain on the center bolt to keep the spring located and axle located...
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Marengo, Iowa
I can get a regular grade 8 locally, no problem, but it isn't quite the same as a spring bolt, at least not the one that holds the spring pack together. The end bolts are not the issue... but if need be I can use one that way, the main difference is the bolt head doesn't have the round shape for locating the axle to the spring. Other than that, I'm sure it would work fine. Just thought if I could come up with one easy and cheap I would do so.
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From: Marengo, Iowa
that's why I'm not too worried about it, the head height is less with a standard bolt, but like you say, once it's all snugged down, it won't matter... that was where the failure was, they didn't stay snugged down. I don't know the situation in the least, just the aftermath...
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Butt-Head
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Reed Point, MT
I've always used the black oxide capscrews from my local ACE hardward store. They've got round heads already and they're definitely strong enough.
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From: Phenix City, AL
You're not shearing a grade 8 that is being used as a center pin. If you can do that, you are seriously outside the normal operating range of the truck. Soft metal is good for things that have to flex (springs, sway bars, leaves, etc.) Fasteners aren't meant to do that.
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I'll ask one more question, how are you going to locate an axle that needs shims to
correct alignment or driveshaft angle with a rounded off short bolt head. Wouldn't
it be easier to get what is made for the purpose. They even make center bolts with
longer heads. Finally be a little weak on the u bolts and I think that grade eight will shear. All those doggy walking trucks you see have the same problem.
correct alignment or driveshaft angle with a rounded off short bolt head. Wouldn't
it be easier to get what is made for the purpose. They even make center bolts with
longer heads. Finally be a little weak on the u bolts and I think that grade eight will shear. All those doggy walking trucks you see have the same problem.
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From: Marengo, Iowa
And that would be why I ask questions such as this. However, the spacer block that goes on top of the axle does the angle set for me. The spring is an apparent custom replacement, it does not have the nice tapered ends of a factory unit. When we bought the truck the spring was already messed up, I am fixing the problems before it hits the road. The u-bolts were very obviously loose, and then I discovered the problem with the spring was that the center bolt obviously was sheared. However, when it is all assembled correctly, and all is tight as it should be, the ubolts will squeeze the spring and keep the stresses away from the center bolt. Let the ubolts get loose though, and the center bolt will have stresses that it was not intended to endure placed on it. The main purpose of the center bolt is to hold the spring pack to gether, that is about it. It is only a 3/8" bolt, so it can't endure too much... The problem I have is that all the parts shops around here have no clue on where to get one. I don't have the luxury of being around a major city that has every kind of business available... and the local shops are a NAPA, Carquest, O'Reillys and Autozone.
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try a TRUCK alignment and or spring shop....I see youre in Missouri...thats not exactly
a third world location. Somewhere near you there has to be a spring shop....anyone who has heavy duty trucks would be able to tell you where...if you cant find in yellow pages under "springs"....or automotive springs...or truck repair....truck springs....ya have to look since we arent there to know what your phone book looks like.
A ground down bolt is NEVER going to be right....besides having only a fraction of the load bearing area...its not gonna be locating the axle exactly right..do you REALLY want to depend on a 1/4 inch bolt head and the friction between the spring and seat to keep axle where it belongs in an emergency stop?.....here in Buffalo, NY.... I buy centerbolts from Frey the Wheelman on tupper Street for $1 -$2 each.....if youre really that stuck...look them up on google...
a third world location. Somewhere near you there has to be a spring shop....anyone who has heavy duty trucks would be able to tell you where...if you cant find in yellow pages under "springs"....or automotive springs...or truck repair....truck springs....ya have to look since we arent there to know what your phone book looks like.
A ground down bolt is NEVER going to be right....besides having only a fraction of the load bearing area...its not gonna be locating the axle exactly right..do you REALLY want to depend on a 1/4 inch bolt head and the friction between the spring and seat to keep axle where it belongs in an emergency stop?.....here in Buffalo, NY.... I buy centerbolts from Frey the Wheelman on tupper Street for $1 -$2 each.....if youre really that stuck...look them up on google...