Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Leaf Spring > Axle U-Bolts Cut off the excess?

Jump to Latest
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
W

WadeHiersSr

· Registered
Joined
·
107 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 ·
Hi all,

I'm wondering what you guys do with the extra threaded ends of the u-bolts on the leaf spring/axle ties? These things are really long and it makes them the lowest (non-rolling) point on the vehicle. Since there's no real way to protect them I'm sure they're going to get hammered to $h1t out on the trail. Should I zip cut the ends off to reduce how far they extend?
 

Attachments

#2 ·
Sawzall, torch, cutoff wheel, whatever you have handy. Just leave a thread or 2 sticking out from the nut if you want.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Cutlass327 said:
Just leave a thread or 2 sticking out from the nut if you want.
Click to expand...
I was thinking I could spin a thread chaser up to the nut, then use an air-hacksaw to cut off flush with the chaser... and "chase" the threads clean taking the chaser off. That'd keep the threads in good shape and give me a few spare threads in case the nut loosens up.
 
#4 ·
Honestly, if you are going to not change anything, just cut them off. By the time you'd want to undo them, they'll be rusted and ubolts are not something you should reuse once they've been on a while. I just cut them off and put new on. If the threads are buggered, less chance of them coming apart, too.
 
#5 ·
Leaf Spring > Axle U-Bolts Cut off the excess?

WadeHiersSr said:
Hi all,

I'm wondering what you guys do with the extra threaded ends of the u-bolts on the leaf spring/axle ties? These things are really long and it makes them the lowest (non-rolling) point on the vehicle. Since there's no real way to protect them I'm sure they're going to get hammered to $h1t out on the trail. Should I zip cut the ends off to reduce how far they extend?
Click to expand...
Cut threads to fit within U bolt skid plates

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#6 ·
Cut em off flush with the nut. When or if you ever need to loosen the nut, the nut will chase the thread for you. I have had to loosen them before and never had a fouled up thread that couldn’t be reused. Leaving a little bit behind then banging the nub on rocks can make it hard to thread off.
 
#8 ·
Absolutely, cut them off flush with the bottom of the nut. It's that kind of detail that separates amateur work from a well done installation.

Last time I did this, I snugged them down and then marked them with a permanent marker. Then took them off and cut them to length in my Harbor Freight bandsaw. Subtracted 1/8" from the mark to account for torquing them down. Came out perfect and the bandsaw made short work of it. These were 5/8" u-bolts. But I've done it by hand with a hacksaw when I didn't have other options.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#9 ·
jurgen24 said:
Cut threads to fit within U bolt skid plates

Image


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
This. My friend, just this. Do it now before it's bent and AFU. Hardened steel so may take a few sawzall blades but hear us now and believe it later, get that SUA skid plate, lop off the excess threads and bolt it up. Thank us later. Really.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#10 ·
Wade - Just cut them off flush or as close to it as you can, and don't worry about the threads. U-bolts are made to stretch when you torque them so if you ever need to remove them you should replace them. They're not meant for re-use. So you can just cut them off at the top center which is much easier than cranking off 4 nuts. Personally I use skids but the same rule applies.
 
#13 ·
U-bolts up is my next one. I have the skids, but they are so bulky themselves that I just want to flip them. I remember reading from a Chevy truck, I'm going to have to find it again for the applications.
 
#14 ·
RARECJ8 said:
U bolts up for the win.
Click to expand...
Hmmm....SOA with shackle reversal.....

How much lift from just the springs? My SOA is with stock springs....

May I suggest a different spring perch. I've destroyed my springs with spring wrap because I used a stock spring perch. If you use an extended perch, it saves the springs AND takes out that 'rebound' when you brake.
 
1 - 14 of 14 Posts
About this Discussion
13 Replies
9 Participants
Last post:
ddawg16
Jeep Enthusiast Forums
posts
19M
members
765K
Since
2000
A forum community dedicated to all jeep owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about performance, engine swaps, modifications, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
TJ Wrangler Technical Forum General Discussion YJ Wrangler Technical Forum Jeep CJ Forum XJ Cherokee Technical Forum