Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**jeffahart** · 08-08-2014, 09:04 PM

I swapped in a 14Bolt rear axle for the Eaton. Put on a shackle flip and zero rate leaf. I reamed the u-bolt plate to account for the center bolt offset. Did not think the little amount of reaming would weaken the plate. But it bent, and wrecked my new u-bolts. I used an old rancho plate I had laying around. I torqued gradually and using crisscross pattern. I guess they are Junk. I ordered new square over the spring type u-bolts to use with the under axle bracket that came with the 14 bolt. Annoying to wreck my new bolts.

Bigdav160 · 08-08-2014, 09:28 PM

I now see why DIY4X and ORD plates are shaped like bathtubs

BLAZERMAN · 08-09-2014, 03:21 PM

That won't happen with the factory GM plates, the hump in the middle makes them very rigid. The u bolts also fit very close to the leaf spring on the GM plates. It looks like yours has some extra room, may be made for a 3" wide spring.

**jeffahart** · 08-09-2014, 08:29 PM

They are 2 1/2 inch. The picture might be deceiving but the bolts are right next to the leafs. I have those stock ones in my garage somewhere. But first thing I found was the flat ones so I used them.

Mistake!!!!!

Now I'm just going with the 85 14bolt setup, I ordered those bolts.

cableguy0 · 08-11-2014, 06:55 PM

Also check Barnes4wd. They make everything you nee and their stuff is top notch. Everything is thicker than it needs to be and the prices are good. We used their stuff when we put the 14 bolt into my brothers Jeep yj.

**jeffahart** · 08-11-2014, 07:06 PM

CableGuy,

Funny you mentioned Barnes. I bought my shock brackets from them. They are very stout, I love the overkill! Their plates look like the Rancho in my picture but I bet it's probably twice as thick and probably better steel. But now I'm a full blown chicken; and will now only buy a plate that is bent for lock.

08-08-2014, 09:04 PM	#1
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,907	Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs I swapped in a 14Bolt rear axle for the Eaton. Put on a shackle flip and zero rate leaf. I reamed the u-bolt plate to account for the center bolt offset. Did not think the little amount of reaming would weaken the plate. But it bent, and wrecked my new u-bolts. I used an old rancho plate I had laying around. I torqued gradually and using crisscross pattern. I guess they are Junk. I ordered new square over the spring type u-bolts to use with the under axle bracket that came with the 14 bolt. Annoying to wreck my new bolts. Attached Images

08-08-2014, 09:28 PM	#2
Bigdav160 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Klein Texas Posts: 3,852	Re: Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs I now see why DIY4X and ORD plates are shaped like bathtubs __________________ My Classics: '72 K20 Suburban + '65 Dodge Town Wagon '72 Corvette Roadster +'67 Corvette Roadster '73 Z-28 Camaro '63 Ford SWB Uni Pickup '50 Ford Coupe

08-09-2014, 03:21 PM	#3
BLAZERMAN Currently Blazerless Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: St. Joseph Mo. Posts: 4,828	Re: Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs That won't happen with the factory GM plates, the hump in the middle makes them very rigid. The u bolts also fit very close to the leaf spring on the GM plates. It looks like yours has some extra room, may be made for a 3" wide spring. Attached Images __________________ 1972 C/30 133" W.B. C&C 1970 GMC 3500 157" W.B. single wheel C&C

08-09-2014, 08:29 PM	#4
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,907	Re: Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs They are 2 1/2 inch. The picture might be deceiving but the bolts are right next to the leafs. I have those stock ones in my garage somewhere. But first thing I found was the flat ones so I used them. Mistake!!!!! Now I'm just going with the 85 14bolt setup, I ordered those bolts.

08-11-2014, 06:55 PM	#5
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs Also check Barnes4wd. They make everything you nee and their stuff is top notch. Everything is thicker than it needs to be and the prices are good. We used their stuff when we put the 14 bolt into my brothers Jeep yj. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

08-11-2014, 07:06 PM	#6
jeffahart Senior Member Join Date: May 2012 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 1,907	Re: Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs CableGuy, Funny you mentioned Barnes. I bought my shock brackets from them. They are very stout, I love the overkill! Their plates look like the Rancho in my picture but I bet it's probably twice as thick and probably better steel. But now I'm a full blown chicken; and will now only buy a plate that is bent for lock.



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