U-Bolts - Reuse or replace?

[halfafish]

I'm replacing the springs on my 72 wagon. What are thoughts on reusing the original u-bolts versus replacing them? As info, the bolts look good and I'm doing OK so far getting them loose.

 

[WileE]

Why not ?

 

[Dodge-Scatpack]

Unless they are damaged, I would reuse.

 

[Plyrr471]

Reuse here as well.

 

[Bird 426]

They only get torqued to about 45 ft lbs.

 

[Schultz64]

I just reused mine when I put a new 8 3/4 rear in my car. Only issue was when I tried to put them back in the spacing was off. Had to squeeze the ends down/together to go back in the shock plate holes. Same u bolts and same shock plates. Weird

 

[Photon440]

Re-used mine a few times. I don't see any problem with that.

 

[roadblock_us64]

Replace. Metal fatigue is a thing. Factor in the age of the wagon, and the weight that wagon has seen.

I have found in life it is better to do it right than it is to FA then FO the bite.

 

[RR Fan Dan]

Cheap insurance to replace.