breaking lower a-arm u-bolts
 

Was at work tonight and my wife called, saying her truck (68 GMC half ton) had broken yet another set of those silly u-bolts that GM used to retain the lower a-arms :m6: :censored: :cuss: . I popped by the shop we take it to to look at it after work and sure enough, same bolt, same side as last time (about 5 monts ago). Now, I know how she drives, and I do think that is the issue, so what could be causing it? Not that it is gonna make a difference for this truck, as we both agree that without a place to restore it, or the time to work with it, it is going to have to find a new home to make room for her next vehicle, but I would like to know where to look for my next one.

Re: breaking lower a-arm u-bolts
 

Were the replacements NEW bolts? I seem to remember reading that they had been upgraded. When I replaced mine during the build I had to hog the arm holes a bit to make 'em fit.

How about the possibility of being OVER-TORQUED or unevenly torqued?

Re: breaking lower a-arm u-bolts
 

It is entirely possible that they were overtorqued. Since I had to downsize my tools a few years back (yes I know, serious violation of mechanic law), I had to take it to a shop to have em replaced, since I dont have the equipment anymore to deal with suspension, and it is VERY possible that their :cuss: grease monkey used an impact rather than a torque wrench :chop: .