Bent U-Bolt Plate at 130 ft lbs

[jeffahart]

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]

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

[BLAZERMAN]

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]

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]

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]

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.

[cableguy0]

Dude we built the entire suspension with their brackets. I used their shock tabs,leaf perches,u bolts and plates. We have to add a ladder bar to the rear because it twists the springs up so bad the u joint hits the yoke. Their stuff is holding great. It was so cheap to buy premade it wasn't worth the effort to fab it up myself.

[jeffahart]

Thanks for the heads up. When I switch back to upper facing bolts I will use their plate since it's working for you. Plus it looks like they have holes for zero rate already.

[1malo68]

Here's a Pic of the Barnes rear U-bolt plate along with their cold rolled U-bolts. I torqued mine to 150Lbs with no issues. Good Stuff. The passenger side front plate for my Dana 60 is 1/2" thick. Their stuff is all American steel.