Sheared off U-bolt

[mechagouki]

Trying to install an add-aleaf today and I sheared off a u-bolt with the my breaker bar - I don't know where to get one today (I live in a really small town), If I put everything back together, can the truck be driven? How likely are the others to shear?

My wife uses the truck daily - it's our only vehicle, so this is kind of inconvenient, to say the least.

 

[Hyde802]

Your local auto parts store should have one. Just bring the broken one for measurements...

Yes you can drive it, but done be shocked when the rear axle flies out from under the truck going down the road.

 

[4runnin83]

Advanced delivers... not sure how small of a town your in though. They deliver for 10 bucks

 

[KidVermicious]

Any decent driveline shop can make you ubolts on the spot, and you should probably replace all of them. Lots of guys will tell you not to reuse ubolts because they stretch and fatigue.

I would not risk driving with a broken ubolt unless I had to. Break another and you'll be calling a tow truck.

 

[Hyde802]

Break another and you'll be calling a tow truck.

Or an ambulance.

 

[mechagouki]

Hmmmm, i'll have to remember to start this kind of job on a Saturday in future.

So with nothing to lose I removed the rest of the nuts from the passenger side u-bolts (no more sheared, but they did twist some). After removing the bump stop plate I'm left with the spring pack sitting on the axle - i assumed by dropping the axle it would separate from the spring pack - but it doesn't - anyone know what I've missed?

The nut on the spring center bolt is rsuted down to a shapeless lump, am I going to have troublw getting it out - i don't really want to remove the whole pack from the truck unless I have to, the shackle and spring eye bolts don't look like they are going to budge easily.

 

[Gerdo]

You are going have to cut or grind the center nut/bolt off. This will release the pack. First, clamp the leafs together. Caution, sometimes they are under a lot of tension.

The centering bolt will need to be replaced. I would also replace all 4 U bolts.

 

[Hyde802]

Yes you have to remove that bolt. Just cut it and get a new one, theyll have them at where ever you get ubolts. But thats not holding it to the springs. It could be hanging up on your ebrake cable.

Got a picture?

 

[mechagouki]

I've got a local spring shop bending up a new set of u-bolts for me - $30 for all 4 - seems OK, got them to add an inch to allow for the new leaf.

I'll try and post some pix of the springs tonight.

 

[KidVermicious]

I've got a local spring shop bending up a new set of u-bolts for me - $30 for all 4 - seems OK, got them to add an inch to allow for the new leaf.

I'll try and post some pix of the springs tonight.

That's a good price, I paid $45 for mine.