Reusing U Bolts

I'm about to replace the suspension on my '73 and have bought all the parts. I forgot new u-bolts. Do I need new u-bolts if there is nothing wrong with the old ones? Or,is it just good to go ahead and replace them anyway. The PO did undercoat everything. So, at a minimum, I will have to get the gunk off of them.

 

Get new ones. U-bolts hold an axle, basically, by stretching the threads and maintaining tension in order to prevent the nut from backing off. They've held that tension for several decades. When you remove the tension from the threads, they don't shrink back. Don't risk your life or the lives of others by trying to save a couple bucks on hardware.

 

Point taken. New u-bolts to be ordered.

 

:iagree:

 

x3.

 

OK. So, I ordered and received the u-bolts for a Dana 30 and Dana 44. Here's what was in the box from Dana 30 and Dana 44 "kits" from 4wd.com:

4 - 999210 1/2 X 2 3/4 X8 RD LH5 18 (Rear)
3 - 8130369 X 3 1/2 X 29/16 X 7 RD LH5 16 (Front)
1 - 8130370 X 1 1/2 X 3 1/4 7 1/4 RD LH5 18 (Front)

This is what their picklist shows for the kit; so, they weren't picked wrong. Is there supposed to be one different U-Bolt? I have never had any experience with this before. So, for a newbie, this seems awefully odd. Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,

David

 

Yep, the different one is for the D30. Stick your head under there and you can see where the larger diameter one should be used.

 

the large one goes on the passenger side, inside of the spring.

 

Thank you very much! I would have never known. This is good for OCD.R)