Reusing old u-bolts

[slcfj62]

I have found a couple of threads regarding this topic, but nothing very definitive. I found this reference (Do Not Reuse U-Bolts):

"Suspension U-Bolts are manufactured with a smooth rolled thread, while the mating Hi-Nuts are manufactured with sharp cut threads.

When a U-Bolt is tightened to its recommended torque level, the U-Bolt threads stretch as they mate with the Hi-Nuts. Although not always visible to the naked eye, this damages the threads. Removing the Hi-Nuts from the U-Bolt will cause a cross - threading that will not allow the U-bolt to be adequately retorqued."

Anybody have profound knowledge to dispute this?

 

[Trapper50cal]

I would say use them because they have been stretched already...just keep an eye on em and retorque if needed, if you find yourself retightening too often then replace.

 

[REKCUT]

If the bolts are original I would replace. If they are just a few years old then I would reuse them. I did a suspension job about 9 years ago and used new bolts. I had to take them off a year later and reused the bolts. I did a new spring job last month and put on new bolts again. I have to take the back ones off to be remade and will use the same bolts as they are just a few weeks old.

 

[sandcruiser]

if the nuts come off smoothly (after you break them free) then I'd say reuse them
if you have to struggle the whole way off, then the threads are probably rusty/worn and I'd get new ones.

regardless, check 'em after a few days/hundred miles for tightness.

 

[ntsqd]

My own RoT for me is that if they are more than a year old I replace them. The cost isn't worth the potential problem of one going bad.

 

[Spike Strip]

What they're saying, plus u-bolts are relatively cheap considering they hold your axle on...

 

[SHERMAN FJ62]

With the way they get used and abused I would replace them if they are more than 1 or 2 years old

 

[wngrog]

I love Toyota Ubolts. I reuse them whenever possible.

 

[Tofudebeest]

I reused mine, but I am prone, on occasion, to bouts of asshattery.

The truth: if you reuse good-appearing ones, and torque them down, and check them periodically and they're not loosening up, you're OK. If they keep needing retightening, you're playing with your life. $100 for the safety of your loved ones (not to mention your own miserable ass), is pretty cheap, all things considered.

All that being said, shearing off or stripping the threads off of one or more U-bolts would require hard wheeling. Anyone seen one fail? You can break birfs, snap axles, hell, you can even shear your steering box off of the frame rails (I have done it), but ripping out a U-bolt...that's pretty difficult as it is not an isolated part, the shocks and leaf springs drastically isolate the demands on those U-bolts.

Then again, do not listen to me, I seldom know of what I speak, automotively speaking...

 

[slcfj62]

Thanks guys. I've got to do something about my sagging suspension. The front left bumpstop only has about 1.5 inches of clearance. I'm thinking OME from Cruiser Outfitters and was just trying to justify the extra $500 for the full kit vs the budget kit.

 

[Joe_E]

I reused mine when I went with the OME . Never had a problem.

 

[Spike Strip]

I got the full kit from Kurt at CO ... Has everything you'll need. Plus, Kurt has been very very helpful with installation issues and other items.

But I ended up going with a MAF U-bolt flip kit, so I've got a set of OME u-bolts sitting in the garage.

You might check into getting the kit minus the U-bolts and get the Flip Kit from LCwizard or Kurt? U-bolts add about $150 to the OME kit. Flip kit is $300 ... So for 150 extra you get the flip kit instead.

 

[D'Animal]

I agree with a couple of posts on here.

When I installed my OME set up on my FJ 60, I reused the Toyota U bolts since the nuts came off almost by hand after they were broke loose. I check them before runs and they are good.

When I installed my SOR set up on my 76 FJ 40, I torched the bolts off and installed new ones. I have to retighen them every 100 miles or so.

When I went SOA, I used new U bolts and nuts and have been tightening them after every run. It is really getting kinda old.


I don't see how Kirt is charging $500 for new U-Bolts. Did I miss something?

 

[Spike Strip]

No, $500 is the diff between the basic kit and the super-duper, everything you'll need kit ( shackles, u-bolts, bushies, beer, hookers, etc...)

 

[beaufort-fj60]

reuse them if you can. The factory ones are too short for the beefed up spring packs.

 

[sandcruiser]

around here, ubolts are only about $10 each, with nuts and washers... $40/axle. Pretty easy to justify new ones unless the old ones are in fine shape.

 

[inkpot]

I agree with a couple of posts on here.

When I installed my OME set up on my FJ 60, I reused the Toyota U bolts since the nuts came off almost by hand after they were broke loose. I check them before runs and they are good.

When I installed my SOR set up on my 76 FJ 40, I torched the bolts off and installed new ones. I have to retighen them every 100 miles or so.

When I went SOA, I used new U bolts and nuts and have been tightening them after every run. It is really getting kinda old.


I don't see how Kirt is charging $500 for new U-Bolts. Did I miss something?

Howdy! So do you think the bolts are stretching, or the nuts are backing off? If it's the nuts, have you tried new lock washers, locktite, or jamb nuts to keep it from moving? John

 

[motoloco]

We got into this conversation on the 40 forums a while back. Some say NEVER EVER VER EVRE NEVER ER ER NERRRRRR reuse U-bolts. I somewhat dissagree, If they are in good shape and the threads are not in poor condition, they should be ok. I have had to tightend new ones quite often after a lift.

 

[SDFJ60JFK]

Cheap insurance Buy them new if they are over a year old.

John

 

[ntsqd]

If a head bolt needed re-torquing every week wouldn't you suspect that something was wrong?
Why is a U-Bolt any different? If anything it is more important than a head bolt.
I can see re-torquing once and by a stretch maybe twice, but after that something is screwed up and is screaming for your attention.

I would say never, ever re-use except that's not very realistic. Use good judgment when you do decide to re-use and if they need frequent re-torquing then they're done, time to buy new.