Truck suspension parts are integrations of rubber springs, shock absorbers, custom u-bolts, spring pins, spring bushing, shackles, hangers, leaf and coil springs, and more.
U-Bolts are designed for an extensive range of products inclusive of domestic, commercial buildings, industrial building applications, automobile industries, marine and fishing, and off-shore and coastal operations. Custom U-bolts that are available in the market vary in their characteristics such as shapes, sizes, materials and grades depending on its utility.
In automobiles, custom U-Bolts have many functions, they are used to hold springs to the front and rear axles of cars, heavy trucks, off-road trucks, etc. Generally speaking, U-bolts hold truck bodies to frames, rigging applications, and anything that may need clamping force between two or more pieces of material.
The U-shape helps keep the bolt firmly in place so that it will not pull away from its fittings easily, adding uncompromising security and stability. The strongest known metal - steel - is used commonly in manufacturing the U-bolts which keeps the fastening resistant toward any kind of corrosion and is also a rust-proof material. Custom U-bolts are also available in other materials like low carbon steel, plain finish, hot dipped galvanized, zinc plated, Teflon coated, hot dipped galvanized poly-coated.
What are the elements that will help you in differentiating one U-bolt from the other?
When you are looking for a custom U-bolt, all you will have to consider is the size and shape:
o Size: The thread size of your U-bolt, rod sizes, inside width of your U-bolt, inside length of your U-bolt.
o Shape: The shape of bending in the U-bolt also helps in identifying the difference; the top may be round, square, or semi-round.
Problems with the U-bolt could result in loss of control at its worst maximum, broken springs at the least and the exerted pressure having a direct impact on the tire.
The added advantage of the U-bolt is that it can be re-tightened according to its usage and load conditions based on its specification.
Never take your chances, always refer to the manual or go by the judgement of an expert so as to save your truck from over-tightening; over-tightening of U-bolt is equally harmful. Never use old U-bolts, when you are re-tightening old nuts, the nuts tends to grab the old worn out threads directly affecting the socket to rod position.
When you subject your vehicle to frequent bad roads and overloading, the U-bolt tends to get stretched from its original position separating it from the spring and its axle will yield to the pressure thus taking a toll on the suspension compressing it beyond its limit and affecting the traction position. The wear and tear stretches the legs of the U-bolts from its original position, although it is made of the most foolproof metal and mechanism. It is advisable to go in for U-bolts with torque value, in which case the U-bolt will stretch within its elastic limits and rebound to its initial point without any damage. Therefore, even if the axle twists from the leaf spring of the suspension, the elasticity will bounce back protecting it from any mishap.
To conclude, here are a few tips on U-bolt.
o Never ever flip a U-bolt without crossover steering or interference problems.
o Re-tighten as per the spec after a few hundred miles.
o Always check them before venturing out on a trail trip.
Gary Allen is the co-founder of All Cape Spring Co. He specializes in truck suspension and Custom U-Bolts and has an experience of over a decade. All Cape Spring Co. serves Cape Cod, Sagamore Beach and Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.allcapespringco.net
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