tough as nails rear end ubolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chris71 · 12-01-2007, 08:41 AM

man, i was amazed at how much umph it took to get off my rearend ubolts when i swapped rears two weeks ago. i litearlly broke the head rigth off of a 2 foot breaker bar that i was using. i ended up using a 6.5 foot pipe on a foot long wrench (total from tip tip tip was 7 feet long) after wire brushing the u bolt threads and generous coats of pb blaster. these things were not that rusted either. i used the 7 footer to loosen them like 2 turns and then was able to man handle them the rest of the way off with another 2 footer breaker bar. the weird part is, after doing all this, i cleaned the threads, and was able to screw on the nuts by hand. for any guys out there doing this, its probably easier and less time consuming to just cut the ubolts and get new ones.

lilred67 · 12-01-2007, 08:50 AM

the nuts on my u- bolts came off easy. getting the u-bolt to pass thru the trailing arm was another problem. i had to heat the u-bolt/trailing arm with a cutting torch and hit with a BFH to get them out...i put a nice coat of anti-sieze on them when reinstalled.

ChevyDude · 12-01-2007, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chris71

its probably easier and less time consuming to just cut the ubolts and get new ones.

That's what I did!

chev74 · 12-01-2007, 09:51 AM

i didnt put anti-seize on whenever i installed my new ones- I put permanent loctite on there cuz its just how i like it. I had a friend who i helped do a rear block lift, and for some reason the nuts wanted to keeo backing off. I made sure that wouldnt happen with mine!

cdowns · 12-01-2007, 10:21 AM

i'm pretty sure from the factory they came with grade8 locknuts// i'm with the cut and replace with new bolts thinking

Classic69 · 12-01-2007, 01:02 PM

Yeah, I'm gonna have to attempt to get my rear U-bolts off as well. I bought a 1" lowering block kit from CPP. We'll see how hard it will be.

Morgsie · 12-01-2007, 01:30 PM

You should just cut them off. Should always use new ubolts.

**Yukon Jack** · 12-01-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgsie

You should just cut them off. Should always use new ubolts.

That's what I have always heard too. From what I've read, these bolts are designed to stretch when torqued and after torqued they loose strength. I know some people reuse them, but I just budget new ones when I'm messing with an axle.

**Classic Bowties** · 12-01-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morgsie

You should just cut them off. Should always use new ubolts.

and is what the factory and spring manufacturing companys recommend. Cb

c10addict · 12-01-2007, 02:48 PM

I always use the smoke wrenches to heat them up to get them off... even if you are going to replace them when cutting them off you have to get really close to other parts you are going to be using! Depending on how good you are with the torch means alot!

**Classic Bowties** · 12-01-2007, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by c10addict

I always use the smoke wrenches to heat them up to get them off... even if you are going to replace them when cutting them off you have to get really close to other parts you are going to be using! Depending on how good you are with the torch means alot!

Or just use one of these (my choice)

sleepyboy · 12-01-2007, 03:12 PM

Took a week and 6 sawzall blades to get mine off, also broke a socket and a ratchet handle in the process.

69TowRig · 12-01-2007, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Bowties

and is what the factory and spring manufacturing companys recommend. Cb

Also agree. Re-stretched bolts become work hardened and more brittle and prone to failure, maybe not at the shank but certainly at the threads. That being said, I am guilty of re-using them as well, although only ones that looked to be in really good condition that did not fight me all the way taking them off.

kelsfine69 · 12-01-2007, 11:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic69

Yeah, I'm gonna have to attempt to get my rear U-bolts off as well. I bought a 1" lowering block kit from CPP. We'll see how hard it will be.

Cut them off and City Spring will make you new ones and there not that expensive

**fine69** · 12-01-2007, 02:05 PM

If they loose strength after to torque them????, Then how do they not break?
I have reused them many times. And will do it again.
If you want to take them off. Heat them up. Then use a good impact to take them off with a good socket. If its not a Impact socket the heat soak of the nut might cause the cheap socket to break.

Morgsie · 12-01-2007, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fine69

If they loose strength after to torque them????, Then how do they not break?
I have reused them many times. And will do it again.
If you want to take them off. Heat them up. Then use a good impact to take them off with a good socket. If its not a Impact socket the heat soak of the nut might cause the cheap socket to break.

The last truck I did was an 88 1/2 ton. I believe it was 20-30 dollars to get 4 made up, and this includes hardware. Cheap insurance IMO. I've only ever reused u-bolts on parts vehicles that need to get pushed around. Continue to do things incorrectly and unsafely, I don't care. Just know that you've been warned.

BTW, if the impact doesn't get the u-bolts off, zip cuts make quick work of them, I try to minimize the use of a torch anywhere on the vehicle if I can help it.

powell72 · 12-01-2007, 08:56 PM

145 ft/lbs and 35+ years of weather and dirt makes those suckers some real gut busters to break loose.

Jim_PA · 12-01-2007, 10:26 PM

Hmmm... replacing ubolts after removing??? Never had one fail, seems a bit excessive.

68 P.O.S. · 12-01-2007, 10:38 PM

Hmm, I've been through a couple of sets, new and reused, and have never had any problems getting them off.

**raggedjim** · 12-02-2007, 11:57 AM

If you are under your truck, and you are cutting the u-bolt, watch your head! When I cut mine the pressure on them made a loud pop! The back of my head hit the frame and it hurt like crazy.

Rg

Old Chevy Mech · 12-02-2007, 12:48 PM

Interesting schools of thought here. Both have good points. I personally have never broke a U-bolt and have re-used the same ones, however only twice.
When I was in the Navy on Nuke subs I was in charge of handling the ordnance (explosive torpedo's & missles) I was schooled on fastners, and their use/re-use. Suprisingly the engineers of the subs, weapons and weapons handling systems were of the same mind, that as long as it passed a visual inspection and showed no signs of distortion, stretching or thread galling it could be reused. Certain fastners were required to be replaced, usually small dinky ones. I've used that knowledge for 20+ years and it has yet to get me in trouble.

I know that I've reused head bolts & main bearing bolts over when replacing the gaskets in my 350. Whats the guidance here?

Funny thing is I've had more new bolts break than re-used ones!

Oh well, to each his own!

Frank

c10addict · 12-02-2007, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raggedjim

If you are under your truck, and you are cutting the u-bolt, watch your head! When I cut mine the pressure on them made a loud pop! The back of my head hit the frame and it hurt like crazy.

Rg

I thought this kind of

stuff only happened to me!!

Longhorn Man · 12-02-2007, 03:48 PM

There's a few trains of thought on this, and I'll say this. If anyone in the shop I work at got cought re-useing a U-bolt on anything that would see a public road, would get fired on the spot. Period.
I've done it personally (not at work) and while almost every time there was no problem... there was that one time I had one break as I was zipping it on with my impact.

piecesparts · 12-02-2007, 07:05 PM

I buy new and torch the really old---my time is worth more to me than getting my hands all bloodied up and me in a pi$$ed off mood trying to save the antiquated parts.

Rollie396 · 12-02-2007, 11:34 PM

I always cut them off and replace them.The last set I bought were made in front of me in 5mins and cost $15.I don't think it's worth the fight to save the old ones.

12-01-2007, 08:41 AM	#1
chris71 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sykesville MD Posts: 357	tough as nails rear end ubolts man, i was amazed at how much umph it took to get off my rearend ubolts when i swapped rears two weeks ago. i litearlly broke the head rigth off of a 2 foot breaker bar that i was using. i ended up using a 6.5 foot pipe on a foot long wrench (total from tip tip tip was 7 feet long) after wire brushing the u bolt threads and generous coats of pb blaster. these things were not that rusted either. i used the 7 footer to loosen them like 2 turns and then was able to man handle them the rest of the way off with another 2 footer breaker bar. the weird part is, after doing all this, i cleaned the threads, and was able to screw on the nuts by hand. for any guys out there doing this, its probably easier and less time consuming to just cut the ubolts and get new ones. __________________ '55 3100 2nd series short-bed stepside '70 Corvette coupe stingray '71 Chevelle 2-dr coupe SS clone '71 C10 long-bed fleetside '83 long-haired brunette wife

12-01-2007, 08:50 AM	#2
lilred67 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: weatherford,texas Posts: 1,003	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts the nuts on my u- bolts came off easy. getting the u-bolt to pass thru the trailing arm was another problem. i had to heat the u-bolt/trailing arm with a cutting torch and hit with a BFH to get them out...i put a nice coat of anti-sieze on them when reinstalled. Last edited by lilred67; 12-01-2007 at 08:50 AM.

12-01-2007, 09:51 AM	#4
chev74 Addicted to Chevy Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Tyler, Tx Posts: 857	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts i didnt put anti-seize on whenever i installed my new ones- I put permanent loctite on there cuz its just how i like it. I had a friend who i helped do a rear block lift, and for some reason the nuts wanted to keeo backing off. I made sure that wouldnt happen with mine!

12-01-2007, 10:21 AM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts i'm pretty sure from the factory they came with grade8 locknuts// i'm with the cut and replace with new bolts thinking __________________ 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

12-01-2007, 01:02 PM	#6
Classic69 Love That '69 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sherwood Park, Alberta, Canada Posts: 360	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts Yeah, I'm gonna have to attempt to get my rear U-bolts off as well. I bought a 1" lowering block kit from CPP. We'll see how hard it will be. __________________ *I AM CANADIAN!!!!!* 1969 Chevy C/10 Truck - SBC V8, TH-350, 3.73 Posi, 1000W Rockford Fosgate Stereo System, B&M Megashifter, GT Grant Steering Wheel, Dual Magnaflow Exhaust System, Dynomax Headers, Lowered 1" Front & 3" Rear, Front/Rear Sway Bars, Racing Seats, 6000K HID Headlights 2008 Chevy Colorado LT - 3.7L I5, 4 Speed Automatic, Crew Cab, 4X4, Z71 Off-Road Package, "Ground Effects" Package, K&N Cold Air Intake, Supermod PTB, Magnaflow Exhaust w/ Resonator, 500W Kenwood / Rockford Fosgate Stereo System, Custom LED Lighting, 6000K HID Low's / High's, Blackcat Customs Gauges / Needles, Carbon Fiber Interior Accents, KrFabs 2" Lift Shackles / Torsion Bar Crank with Rancho RS5000 Shocks, Superskids Skid Plates

12-01-2007, 01:30 PM	#7
Morgsie Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 122	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts You should just cut them off. Should always use new ubolts. Last edited by Morgsie; 12-01-2007 at 01:31 PM.

12-01-2007, 02:48 PM	#10
c10addict Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: pittsburgh pa Posts: 1,970	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts I always use the smoke wrenches to heat them up to get them off... even if you are going to replace them when cutting them off you have to get really close to other parts you are going to be using! Depending on how good you are with the torch means alot! __________________ 68 C10 Shorty TPI,Bagged, and all the good stuff. Classic trucks feature June 06, On the cover of Jegs Christmas Catalog 08 67 C10 Shorty Shop truck project Bagged and Z'd under destruction and getting nowhere fast. 64 C10 Shop Truck/Daily driver, Bagged, Dropmember, SOLD!!!! Gone but not forgotten.. 54 GMC under the knife getting a S10 chassis swap and bagged. See my build thread... 07 GMC Sierra 5/7 drop, 22's and 24's Air ride on my mind.. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=339340 See pics of my trucks in my profile

12-01-2007, 03:12 PM	#12
sleepyboy '69 Step Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Marion, Texas Posts: 722	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts Took a week and 6 sawzall blades to get mine off, also broke a socket and a ratchet handle in the process. __________________ It's my truck, and Yes, I CUT the dash, so what??

12-01-2007, 02:05 PM	#15
fine69 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Urbana,Ohio,USA Posts: 4,618	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts If they loose strength after to torque them????, Then how do they not break? I have reused them many times. And will do it again. If you want to take them off. Heat them up. Then use a good impact to take them off with a good socket. If its not a Impact socket the heat soak of the nut might cause the cheap socket to break. __________________ 2008 Chevy HHR 1/2 panel. 1949 Chevy Panel truck(just sittin, waiting) Board member #6

12-01-2007, 08:56 PM	#17
powell72 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Loveland Co. Posts: 3,098	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts 145 ft/lbs and 35+ years of weather and dirt makes those suckers some real gut busters to break loose. __________________ Chris 74 Custom Deluxe SWB 350/350/3.73’s 99 2wd Silverado RCSB 5.3/4L60/3.90’s http://www.classictrucks.com/feature...short_bed.html

12-01-2007, 10:26 PM	#18
Jim_PA Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: PA Posts: 2,696	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts Hmmm... replacing ubolts after removing??? Never had one fail, seems a bit excessive.

12-01-2007, 10:38 PM	#19
68 P.O.S. Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Puyallup, WA Posts: 1,662	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts Hmm, I've been through a couple of sets, new and reused, and have never had any problems getting them off. __________________ 72 C10 lwb fleetside -stock 350/350 combo

12-02-2007, 11:57 AM	#20
raggedjim Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Murray, Kentucky Posts: 3,476	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts If you are under your truck, and you are cutting the u-bolt, watch your head! When I cut mine the pressure on them made a loud pop! The back of my head hit the frame and it hurt like crazy. Rg __________________ Roger '68 Short step - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=849675 '69 ('70?) 2wd Blazer '70 GMC Jimmy 2wd '73 Firebird - https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=853203

12-02-2007, 12:48 PM	#21
Old Chevy Mech Keepin it runnin! Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Deep River, CT Posts: 1,036	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts Interesting schools of thought here. Both have good points. I personally have never broke a U-bolt and have re-used the same ones, however only twice. When I was in the Navy on Nuke subs I was in charge of handling the ordnance (explosive torpedo's & missles) I was schooled on fastners, and their use/re-use. Suprisingly the engineers of the subs, weapons and weapons handling systems were of the same mind, that as long as it passed a visual inspection and showed no signs of distortion, stretching or thread galling it could be reused. Certain fastners were required to be replaced, usually small dinky ones. I've used that knowledge for 20+ years and it has yet to get me in trouble. I know that I've reused head bolts & main bearing bolts over when replacing the gaskets in my 350. Whats the guidance here? Funny thing is I've had more new bolts break than re-used ones! Oh well, to each his own! Frank __________________ 1970 K-5 4X4 Blazer 1970 K-20 4X4 Long Bed "Liberty Means Responsibility, that is why most men dread it"

12-02-2007, 03:48 PM	#23
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts There's a few trains of thought on this, and I'll say this. If anyone in the shop I work at got cought re-useing a U-bolt on anything that would see a public road, would get fired on the spot. Period. I've done it personally (not at work) and while almost every time there was no problem... there was that one time I had one break as I was zipping it on with my impact.



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12-02-2007, 07:05 PM	#24
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts I buy new and torch the really old---my time is worth more to me than getting my hands all bloodied up and me in a pi$$ed off mood trying to save the antiquated parts.

12-02-2007, 11:34 PM	#25
Rollie396 someday it will be done! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Lloydminster,AB. Canada Posts: 1,620	Re: tough as nails rear end ubolts I always cut them off and replace them.The last set I bought were made in front of me in 5mins and cost $15.I don't think it's worth the fight to save the old ones. __________________ '72 C-10 Proud owner of a million new and used pieces that used to be and will once again be(god willing) a testament to the term "they don't build em like that anymore. '80 LWB 2wd beater '67 GMC long fleet (cab donor) '66 long step (parked till it's turn comes around) '65 short step (parts truck that will donate it's bed and possibly frame to the '66) '06 Grand Prix wife's car (she hardly lets me touch it) my pics

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