Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

AirSpeed · 05-16-2012, 12:44 PM

I spoke with a friend who is pretty knowledgeable about such things and he suggested I not reuse the U bolts on a rear axle I just had rebuilt. Is it safe to reuse the U bolts?
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webfoot · 05-16-2012, 12:55 PM

I would not have a problem reusing them. They are not under a whole lot of stress, or they'd be a lot bigger.

On the other hand, a set of new ones is not very expensive.

cdowns · 05-16-2012, 02:17 PM

very cheap insurance to use new ones

other than preventing the rear axel assy from rotating and falling off yeh they aint under much stress

**fine69** · 05-16-2012, 04:24 PM

I personally have reused them a bunch. If you got them out without damage i wouldnt hesitate to use them.

To each his own.

GOPAPA · 05-16-2012, 04:56 PM

I would not re-use the U-bolts because if you think about it ,,used ones have been torqued to a point that stretches the threads a bit..and to reuse them and torque them again stretches the threads more than they are supposed to be..

Then again as said above a lot of people do it and get away with it,,but for me when I put new leaf springs under my truck I bought new ones..

MLB57 · 05-16-2012, 05:02 PM

As long as the threads are not damaged were they go through the lower saddle so you can get them tight i would not be afraid to use them. I have seen them pretty thin in that area also from salt an sand sitting in that area. After you tighten them hit them with a wrench and they have a nice high pitched tink to them

**Stocker** · 05-16-2012, 06:41 PM

Mine looked good when I put in the AALs, and no problems since. That has been many, many years ago and too many loads of firewood to count.

Now that I think about it, that was long before I owned a torque wrench. They broke loose hard (with a cheater pipe) and went back on the same way.

**leddzepp** · 05-16-2012, 06:48 PM

I re-use them and have no issues doing so.
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05-16-2012, 12:44 PM	#1
AirSpeed Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fall River California Posts: 2,027	Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? I spoke with a friend who is pretty knowledgeable about such things and he suggested I not reuse the U bolts on a rear axle I just had rebuilt. Is it safe to reuse the U bolts? Posted via Mobile Device

05-16-2012, 12:55 PM	#2
webfoot Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Hermiston, OR Posts: 947	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? I would not have a problem reusing them. They are not under a whole lot of stress, or they'd be a lot bigger. On the other hand, a set of new ones is not very expensive. __________________ *Running in place gets you nowhere fast.* -me 1968 GTO 4-spd covnvertible 1970 K-20 4-speed, factory AC.

05-16-2012, 02:17 PM	#3
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? very cheap insurance to use new ones other than preventing the rear axel assy from rotating and falling off yeh they aint under much stress __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

05-16-2012, 04:24 PM	#4
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? I personally have reused them a bunch. If you got them out without damage i wouldnt hesitate to use them. To each his own. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

05-16-2012, 04:56 PM	#5
GOPAPA Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,629	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? I would not re-use the U-bolts because if you think about it ,,used ones have been torqued to a point that stretches the threads a bit..and to reuse them and torque them again stretches the threads more than they are supposed to be.. Then again as said above a lot of people do it and get away with it,,but for me when I put new leaf springs under my truck I bought new ones.. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

05-16-2012, 05:02 PM	#6
MLB57 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: olathe kansas Posts: 238	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? As long as the threads are not damaged were they go through the lower saddle so you can get them tight i would not be afraid to use them. I have seen them pretty thin in that area also from salt an sand sitting in that area. After you tighten them hit them with a wrench and they have a nice high pitched tink to them

05-16-2012, 06:41 PM	#7
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,811	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? Mine looked good when I put in the AALs, and no problems since. That has been many, many years ago and too many loads of firewood to count. Now that I think about it, that was long before I owned a torque wrench. They broke loose hard (with a cheater pipe) and went back on the same way. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

05-16-2012, 06:48 PM	#8
leddzepp Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Southern Cal Posts: 20,117	Re: Can I reuse the U bolts on a rear axle? I re-use them and have no issues doing so. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ 1972 C/10 Cheyenne Super SWB. Restored, loaded, slammed. 1968 C/10 50th Anniversary LWB. Unrestored, stock, daily driver/work truck. RIP ElJay RIP 67ChevyRedneck RIP Grumpy Old Man RIP FleetsidePaul



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