[andytruck]

Why is it so hard to find replacement u-bolts?
I have 3 inch wide leafs. Do I need exactly 3 inch u-bolt, or will a 3 and change work?

They say to not reuse U-bolts. I think because the threads have spots where the nut will settle back into. Is there no other reason? I need shorter u-bolts. Can I have them threaded farther up? There will not be previous spots at least.

I can't find the u-bolts I need. Am about to have some custom made, but would rather just cut mine shorter and re-thread.
Problem is disabling truck, then not having truck to drive to have them threaded, so I have be hesitant, but I can borrow car.

My 2500 seems to have ½ inch bolts. Odd that they are not 9/16ths?
Should I get 9/16?

I will b towing gooseneck trailer

The story is that I am taking off the helper springs and adding air bags. Helpers are in the way, and not needed, and dont ride good. Losing leaf stack height, so need shorter u-bolts.
Truck leafs have sagged enough it sits on helpers when loaded light.

:blues: for no reason

 

[Rhinopkc]

Drive your truck to a spring shop, have them make you new u-bolts, drive home, do work. You'll have a much better time with all of the proper parts on the bench before you start.

 

[bigfish95971]

Google "Spring Shops" near you. They will make anything you like cheap.

 

[Clunk]

Yup, got mine from Nashville Spring Service.

 

[andytruck]

Got u-bolts.
When I take the center bolt out, the one goes through the stack of leafs, what happens? Everything stay secure in place, no shifting?
Will I need a new bolt, or is this stock one threaded far enough down that i can take out helper springs and just cut this bolt shorter and reuse?
If new bolt, then how does the bolt remove?

 

[bigfish95971]

They may expand curve a bit but not much. Remove with regular wrenches. Buy new ones from Dorman at any part store by size, Cut of extra if needed.ii If your springs are sagging near 2 inches already, they need replacement, or recurved not air bags. Overloads are more for stability than added load.

 

[NIsaacs]

Got u-bolts.
When I take the center bolt out, the one goes through the stack of leafs, what happens? Everything stay secure in place, no shifting?
Will I need a new bolt, or is this stock one threaded far enough down that i can take out helper springs and just cut this bolt shorter and reuse?
If new bolt, then how does the bolt remove?

You don't have to disturb the center bolts. Each spring pack has it's own bolt, one bolt does not go all the way threw both packs. The spacer block between the two packs has a large hole in it to cover the bottom bolt nut and the top bolt head.

 

[andytruck]

You don't have to disturb the center bolts. Each spring pack has it's own bolt, one bolt does not go all the way threw both packs. The spacer block between the two packs has a large hole in it to cover the bottom bolt nut and the top bolt head.

Cool, so you are saying the helper springs are bolted together separate from the main leafs (which will be bolted together too?)

I have begun the job. I will confirm that the Helper Spring and the Main Leaf stack are two different sets of bolted-together things. They are separated by the cast iron block between them, the block is hollow and room for the bolt heads.

I found nuts in the hardware store to fit the u-bolts and they were lug nuts. Ace had a few regular nuts in the regular bins, but were three short. I assume lug nut is a high grade?

I'm drilling holes through a gooseneck hitch side plate and the frame, should be strong.