
See Our
Complete List of U-bolt Kits (U-bolts with nuts and washers)
that can be ordered online ->
A U-bolt serves in four critical related
roles:
•
Primarily, the
truck u-bolts provide the force required to clamp the
leaf spring and
related components firmly together. In addition
to the leaf spring, these components
include the top plate, axle seat, axle and bottom
plate.
• The
properly installed u-bolt eliminates any flexing
of the leaf spring in the area between
the u bolts. This is particularly critical since
the hole for the centerbolt in each
leaf acts as a stress concentration which would
lead to rapid leaf breakage
if spring flexing was not totally eliminated by
the U bolt clamping force.
• By firmly
clamping the spring to the axle seat the
horizontal forces acting on the centerbolt
are greatly reduced which in turn prevents shearing of the centerbolt.
• Proper
clamping of the spring by the truck u-bolts provides
the desired spring stiffness and
contributes to maintaining the vehicle ride
height and handling
characteristics as originally specified for the
vehicle.