Re-using u-bolts?
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
Re-using u-bolts?
I'm preparing to take the lift off of my truck and put all the stock suspension components back on the truck. I have all of the original parts, including the original u-bolts. Can I reuse these or would it be better/safer to buy new bolts? I've heard it's bad to reuse them, but I don't really understand why.
Thanks,
Terry
Thanks,
Terry
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: Purdue
No they aren't torque to yeild but the bolt still stretches. That is how bolts work, they stretch and that stretching clamps the two pieces down. I would say if the u-bolts aren't too old or abused then they should be fine to reuse....ONCE. Every time you torque a bolt down you stretch it and it loses some of its ability to hold a torque. In my opinion they're cheap enough that I'd rather buy a new one than have to worry about the whole rear end leaving the truck. JMO
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 910
Likes: 8
From: West-Central New York
I concur. Ubolts are such an integral part of the vehicle, and so cheap, I'd definitely always replace them. I don't even want to think about what would happen if one gave up at high speeds because of some pothole.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,007
Likes: 1
From: Newport News
I just looked at the price and went ahead and ordered a new set. What's 50 bucks vs a totalled truck or lost life.
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
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From: Long Island USA
No matter what I've read or who I've talked to in the last 20 years, it's always been use NEW U-BOLTS.
No questions, no argument, no debate.
NEW.
I went to a spring shop, told him how long the entire bolt was (end-to-end) and he made up new ones right in front of me. I think they cost me $12 a piece at the time, back 17 years ago.
No questions, no argument, no debate.
NEW.
I went to a spring shop, told him how long the entire bolt was (end-to-end) and he made up new ones right in front of me. I think they cost me $12 a piece at the time, back 17 years ago.
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