u bolts stuck! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

fenderbluesman63 · 07-28-2002, 05:52 PM

is there a trick to removing the large u bolts that hold the axle tube to the frame? i took off the nuts, tried pb blaster, hammer, put the weight of the truck on it and it still wont budge...i have tried hitting the top of the u back and forth and i will move a little, but not much...also does the bracket under the ubolt come off as well? i am almost finished stripping this thing and i really need to get the rear off...PLEASE HELP! thanks....

tommie · 07-28-2002, 05:58 PM

i just got through taking mine apart.

put the nuts back on the u bolts (loose) and hit the bottom of the ubolts, and the nuts to break them loose, then you can pry between the axle tube and the suspension bars, they really rust up inside those trailing bars.

later
tommie

**68SWB4x4** · 07-28-2002, 06:26 PM

those can be a real PITA get a torch to loosen them up than hit um with the hammer...... if it still dosnt work just cut them off and get new ones

fenderbluesman63 · 07-28-2002, 06:28 PM

do you think a mapp gas torch will get them hot enough? i dont have a oxy acet torch...i have been beating and prying since noon, i am running out of arm...lol

fenderbluesman63 · 07-28-2002, 08:57 PM

update...mapp didnt work....do you guys think a bimetal blade n my sawzall will cut them? where would i get another set? i really dont want to cut them if i will have problems finding more....

**68SWB4x4** · 07-28-2002, 10:27 PM

you can get them custom made at u bolt shops or i think www.mothertruckers.net sells them as well as other vendors....
the sawzall will probaly cut them but will take along time..... a grinder would work good
i had a set of a arms that i tried heating up and beating with a 15 lb sledge FULL sling to........ they wouldnt budge....... sometimes they are just rustowelded

DennyB · 07-30-2002, 04:59 PM

sawzall with a metal blade will make quick work of the u bolts

Snowbound · 08-05-2002, 04:37 PM

I had a b!tch of a time when I swap my rear end getting the u-bolts out. After numerous failed attempts with BFH, torching, setting weight on them, etc, etc, I found the easiest way was to cut off the last couple of rivets behind the u-bolt on the trailing arm and pry the two halves apart a little. The u-bolts will come right out. Just replace the rivets with bolts after. Good luck!

Brian

JHickson6 · 08-05-2002, 09:50 PM

Cut the bastards!! Don't be a Sissy!!!

NSANE68!!!
Hope You don't mind if I borrow this pic

fenderbluesman63 · 08-05-2002, 10:14 PM

ok, i got one out by cutting with a sawzall, new blade is toast now...still cant drive the ends out tho..finally i have taken the trailing arms off to roll the rear out and flip it over, but the brake line that comes from the front to the rubber line to the distribution block is rounded off really bad so i havent messed with it today, getting frustrated a little so i am gonna wait a few days before i go back out there...i am gonna try the rivet idea and see if i can get that last one out...thanks for all the ideas and help guys

07-28-2002, 05:52 PM	#1
fenderbluesman63 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: lr,ar Posts: 11	u bolts stuck! is there a trick to removing the large u bolts that hold the axle tube to the frame? i took off the nuts, tried pb blaster, hammer, put the weight of the truck on it and it still wont budge...i have tried hitting the top of the u back and forth and i will move a little, but not much...also does the bracket under the ubolt come off as well? i am almost finished stripping this thing and i really need to get the rear off...PLEASE HELP! thanks....

07-28-2002, 06:26 PM	#3
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	those can be a real PITA get a torch to loosen them up than hit um with the hammer...... if it still dosnt work just cut them off and get new ones __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-28-2002, 10:27 PM	#6
68SWB4x4 Strongman Garage Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Salinas, CA Posts: 10,241	you can get them custom made at u bolt shops or i think www.mothertruckers.net sells them as well as other vendors.... the sawzall will probaly cut them but will take along time..... a grinder would work good i had a set of a arms that i tried heating up and beating with a 15 lb sledge FULL sling to........ they wouldnt budge....... sometimes they are just rustowelded __________________ Kalle 68 GMC Suburban 1500 4x4 SOLD 69 Pontiac Lemans 99 Silverado 4.8 5 speed ECSB [ Facebook Instagram Subscribe on YOUTUBE

07-30-2002, 04:59 PM	#7
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	sawzall with a metal blade will make quick work of the u bolts __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider

08-05-2002, 04:37 PM	#8
Snowbound Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Westbank, BC Posts: 403	I had a b!tch of a time when I swap my rear end getting the u-bolts out. After numerous failed attempts with BFH, torching, setting weight on them, etc, etc, I found the easiest way was to cut off the last couple of rivets behind the u-bolt on the trailing arm and pry the two halves apart a little. The u-bolts will come right out. Just replace the rivets with bolts after. Good luck! Brian __________________ 1965 Chevy Short Box Stepside, 230 - 3 speed, 4:11 gears, original paint rust free survivor. Now sporting a 383 SBC and TKO-600

07-28-2002, 05:58 PM	#2
tommie 97' Tahoe 2dr/2wd Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Huffman,TX Posts: 1,168	i just got through taking mine apart. put the nuts back on the u bolts (loose) and hit the bottom of the ubolts, and the nuts to break them loose, then you can pry between the axle tube and the suspension bars, they really rust up inside those trailing bars. later tommie

07-28-2002, 06:28 PM	#4
fenderbluesman63 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: lr,ar Posts: 11	do you think a mapp gas torch will get them hot enough? i dont have a oxy acet torch...i have been beating and prying since noon, i am running out of arm...lol

07-28-2002, 08:57 PM	#5
fenderbluesman63 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: lr,ar Posts: 11	update...mapp didnt work....do you guys think a bimetal blade n my sawzall will cut them? where would i get another set? i really dont want to cut them if i will have problems finding more....

08-05-2002, 09:50 PM	#9
JHickson6 I Love This Stuff! Join Date: May 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 739	Cut the bastards!! Don't be a Sissy!!! NSANE68!!! Hope You don't mind if I borrow this pic Attached Images __________________ My Rides 1967 C10 In Pieces for now 1985 Ford B700 SourPuss Bus - BIG BLUE 2003 Silverado CITY WORKER YELLOW!!

08-05-2002, 10:14 PM	#10
fenderbluesman63 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: lr,ar Posts: 11	ok, i got one out by cutting with a sawzall, new blade is toast now...still cant drive the ends out tho..finally i have taken the trailing arms off to roll the rear out and flip it over, but the brake line that comes from the front to the rubber line to the distribution block is rounded off really bad so i havent messed with it today, getting frustrated a little so i am gonna wait a few days before i go back out there...i am gonna try the rivet idea and see if i can get that last one out...thanks for all the ideas and help guys



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