U-Bolts - Reuse or replace?

[hotrod426]

Go to Eaton Detroit spring’s web sight and go to the spring tech tab and they will explain why you should replace them.

 

[TN Mopar]

replace

 

[dadsbee]

I'll take my 62 year old steel over any shat made today!

 

[BSB67]

Go to Eaton Detroit spring’s web sight and go to the spring tech tab and they will explain why you should replace them.

Really didn’t see anything that indicated why you should replace them.

 

[Milo]

I clean the threads on a wire wheel and sometimes run a die over them if they are a little rough. I have done plenty and never used new U bolts

 

[MoparLeo]

Wow, we are so into recycling.
New fasteners are never an expense, just cheap insurance.
Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.
Just skip a case of beer.

 

[roadrunnerh]

I guess if the originals aren't super rusty and have good threads you would be fine. It's been years, but I purchased quality new U bolts and used them. My understanding is new bolts are recommended.

 

[dadsbee]

JHC...

 

[eldubb440]

Quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten.

you just made the case for reusing the originals......unless you can find USA made

isn't there a stretch factor that requires new bolts?

 

[sam dupont]

Post #16
If International Harvester says it, you can take it to the bank.
Torque to Yield, like many head bolts

 

[dadsbee]

So we reuse ever damn bolt in the car, OE engine assembly and can't reuse the axle ubolts? GMAFB

 

[RemCharger]

Found the FAQ- you might want to skip the guys question.. he actually sounds like he might be insane.. but in the end they wanted them replaced due to the threads. More of a cover your *** type recommendation
Nothing about stretching the material.

Reinstalling U-Bolts - EATON Detroit Spring Reinstalling U-Bolts - EATON Detroit Spring

 

[WileE]

Maybe someone can tell me a case where U-bolts were re-used and failed.

 

[eldubb440]

I usually cut them for quick, easy removal, so.......

 

[Photon440]

Post #16
If International Harvester says it, you can take it to the bank.
Torque to Yield, like many head bolts

Chrysler recommends only 45 pounds. Wouldn't torque to yield be far greater than that? Does I/H use the same type of nut?

 

[Cranky]

I've never heard of torque to yield on rear end U bolts on a Mopar and the only time I'll replace them is if they are rusty or the threads are bad/beat up and then they got replaced with good used ones. I also use Loc-tite on the reused nuts. One reason it's said to replace with new is because the nuts have locking dimples on them. IIRC, the dimples are on 3 sides. If the old nuts come off without messing up the threads, I'll reuse them. That said, I have found nuts that had deeper dimples and found others that barely have them. The ones with the deeper dimples were much harder to get off and usually messed up the threads or wouldn't come off at all. And can't remember seeing aftermarket new ones with dimples in them.

 

[Fran B]

don't know about Mopars, but IH u-bolts are "torque to yield", meaning they stretch when brought to proper torque. The factory recommends replacement every time. They also recommend retorquing after use.

For extreme use applications, re-use might be risky

Sam how long has torque to yield been around?? 20/40 years, I don't know if it applies to 50 year old bolts?

 

[Cranky]

Sam how long has torque been around?? 20/40 years, I don't know if it applies to 50 year old bolts?

 

[1KoolBee]

I usually cut them for quick, easy removal, so.......

Me too . The last set of correct “flattened” u-bolts I bought were like $65 in ‘24.

 

[sam dupont]

I don't get it