Lower control arm shaft u-bolts - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Alvin · 10-21-2005, 01:59 PM

Can anyone tell me a local parts place I can buy the u-bolts for the lower control arm shafts? I know ECE sells 'em but I don't want to pay shipping for just a couple bolts. Thanks.

70rs/ss · 10-21-2005, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvin

Can anyone tell me a local parts place I can buy the u-bolts for the lower control arm shafts? I know ECE sells 'em but I don't want to pay shipping for just a couple bolts. Thanks.

You can buy these from the dealer for like $6 a piece and they are the upgraded bigger diameter u-bolts. I just replaced mine and no, you will not find at any parts stores. Good luck.

Mike

Alvin · 10-21-2005, 06:20 PM

Guess I will be hitting up the dealer this weekend then. Thanks!

Sonny · 10-21-2005, 06:25 PM

U better go with the part number in hand and your vin #. The only way the parts guy can pull up info on my truck is thru the vin. So now I go with the GM part # in-hand to save myself a headache.

Sonny

Fred T · 10-21-2005, 07:04 PM

If there's a spring or suspension shop around, they should be able to bend you some if you provide a pattern.

mikeoj · 10-21-2005, 07:17 PM

GM part number please!!

Sweet72 · 10-21-2005, 08:11 PM

There have been a few near disasters reported by some board members because these u-bolts tend to fatigue. I like the idea of the replacement 7/16 bolt versus the orig. 3/8.

Tx Firefighter · 10-21-2005, 08:42 PM

Sonny, no offense, but you have a stupid parts guy.

Every 2wd 1/2 ton truck from 61 through 87 used that part, and the 3/4 ton and 1 ton all the way into the early 90's. If he can't find that kind of thing for you, you need to ask for the parts manager on the spot and levy a complaint to him. That's pure stupidity and laziness on your parts guy's part.

Some of the early trucks used the smaller u-bolts, but like was said, they sometimes failed. So, GM superceded the part to a larger u-bolt and made a running change from that point foreward. If you buy one, it will be the newer, larger ones. If your truck used the smaller bolts originally, installation is simply running a drill bit through the 8 holes in the crossmember to slightly enlargen the holes to the bigger size.

BubbaGreen · 10-21-2005, 09:05 PM

The newer "bigger" size is available from GM, it uses a 9/16 coarse thread nut.
I installed compression nuts and used "machine" washers. The ones I took out used a 1/2 nut. The new ones fit perfect and did NOT require making the holes bigger in the cross member....I have the GM p/n somewhere, but would have to do some digging...if you have absolutely no luck, let me know.

Sweet72 · 10-21-2005, 10:13 PM

You're right Bubba, the stock U-bolt is 1/2NC not 3/8 as I mentioned previously. I stand corrected.

*72CSTC5* · 10-21-2005, 11:59 PM

I think I have a few around my house. If you are interested let me know and I will see if I can drag them out tomorrow and ship them to you. Let me know.
Carlos

Skruffy · 10-22-2005, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alvin

Can anyone tell me a local parts place I can buy the u-bolts for the lower control arm shafts? I know ECE sells 'em but I don't want to pay shipping for just a couple bolts. Thanks.

I got my last pair at Auto Zone

73stepside · 10-22-2005, 12:29 AM

most auto parts houses that have the help parts sections will have those bolts

10-21-2005, 01:59 PM	#1
Alvin Never Done? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,435	Lower control arm shaft u-bolts Can anyone tell me a local parts place I can buy the u-bolts for the lower control arm shafts? I know ECE sells 'em but I don't want to pay shipping for just a couple bolts. Thanks. __________________ Ethel - The Legend Continues... Ethel has been sold.

10-21-2005, 06:20 PM	#3
Alvin Never Done? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,435	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts Guess I will be hitting up the dealer this weekend then. Thanks! __________________ Ethel - The Legend Continues... Ethel has been sold.

10-21-2005, 06:25 PM	#4
Sonny Active Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Centerville, GA Posts: 240	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts U better go with the part number in hand and your vin #. The only way the parts guy can pull up info on my truck is thru the vin. So now I go with the GM part # in-hand to save myself a headache. Sonny

10-21-2005, 07:04 PM	#5
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts If there's a spring or suspension shop around, they should be able to bend you some if you provide a pattern. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-21-2005, 07:17 PM	#6
mikeoj Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: WI,USA Posts: 495	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts GM part number please!! __________________ 69 Lwb C-10 402/700R4 70 Lwb C-10 250/3pd Wisc.

10-21-2005, 08:11 PM	#7
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts There have been a few near disasters reported by some board members because these u-bolts tend to fatigue. I like the idea of the replacement 7/16 bolt versus the orig. 3/8. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

10-21-2005, 08:42 PM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts Sonny, no offense, but you have a stupid parts guy. Every 2wd 1/2 ton truck from 61 through 87 used that part, and the 3/4 ton and 1 ton all the way into the early 90's. If he can't find that kind of thing for you, you need to ask for the parts manager on the spot and levy a complaint to him. That's pure stupidity and laziness on your parts guy's part. Some of the early trucks used the smaller u-bolts, but like was said, they sometimes failed. So, GM superceded the part to a larger u-bolt and made a running change from that point foreward. If you buy one, it will be the newer, larger ones. If your truck used the smaller bolts originally, installation is simply running a drill bit through the 8 holes in the crossmember to slightly enlargen the holes to the bigger size. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-21-2005, 09:05 PM	#9
BubbaGreen Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 686	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts The newer "bigger" size is available from GM, it uses a 9/16 coarse thread nut. I installed compression nuts and used "machine" washers. The ones I took out used a 1/2 nut. The new ones fit perfect and did NOT require making the holes bigger in the cross member....I have the GM p/n somewhere, but would have to do some digging...if you have absolutely no luck, let me know. __________________ 71 Chevy C-10 SWB Fleetside RamJet-350/4L60e & Compushift/3.73Posi See it at www.prismnet.com/~grzanich

10-21-2005, 10:13 PM	#10
Sweet72 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Alexandria, VA Posts: 1,534	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts You're right Bubba, the stock U-bolt is 1/2NC not 3/8 as I mentioned previously. I stand corrected. __________________ '72 GMC SWB C1500 Custom, frame-off in progress. 383 SBC, 9:1CR, Comp Cams XE262H, Scat internal balanced crank, Eagle SIR 6" rods, Keith Black dish pistons, Dart Iron Eagle 72/180 heads, Weiand Stealth intake, Stewart stage I water pump, Holley 4bbl vac sec, TH350 with B&M Shift Improver Kit. 12 bolt positraction.

10-21-2005, 11:59 PM	#11
72CSTC5 Account Suspended Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Deer Park, Tx. Posts: 2,524	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts I think I have a few around my house. If you are interested let me know and I will see if I can drag them out tomorrow and ship them to you. Let me know. Carlos

10-22-2005, 12:29 AM	#13
73stepside Registered User Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Moore OK 73160 Posts: 974	Re: Lower control arm shaft u-bolts most auto parts houses that have the help parts sections will have those bolts __________________ 04 GMC Sierra RCSS 70 CST LWB 04 HD Sportster 1200 Custom



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