Canadian Rust Bucket
I'm Awesome
Careful when cutting them off. When the u-bolt gives, the spring will jump up. Not a big deal but something to be aware of
Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.
Sure, cutting works but those mounting plates are absolutely not reusable. They're trash.No.
Cut the U-bolts. Hack-saw, abrasive disc on a die-grinder, smoke wrench...there's zero reason to unscrew the nuts.
The broken U-bolt could be removed with ONE cut, on the leg opposite the broken side.
MAYBE you can save the mounting plate at the bottom. Kinda unlikely based on how they look now.
I've seen axle tubes that have severe rust in the U-bolt area, too. In my case, I took a chance on re-using the axle assembly, and "so far, so good".
Yeah, you need to support the axle with jack stands to keep weight off the springs.Careful when cutting them off. When the u-bolt gives, the spring will jump up. Not a big deal but something to be aware of
Or just replace one U-bolt at a time, in which case the "other" U-bolt carries the load just fine. No danger, no problem. Of course, you'd replace the broken one first. This assumes the lower plate is still in reasonable condition; and the plates in this case may well be beyond their service life.Jack the truck up so the weight is off the springs. ( Cutting the bolts with weight on is like you being the mouse trying to get the cheese, snap faster than you can say " oh crap" )
The way I remember my '88, the lower plate has drain holes...but they get plugged with dirt/pebbles/leaves/garf/garfelderfarb. They "looked" terrible. A few minutes in the glass-bead cabinet, and some paint...they appeared to be just fine in terms of structural integrity.When install replacement lower mounts if there are not drain holes in center lowest area, drill some to help prevent cancer, let's water and dirt drain out.
Yeah ATS is good... i went with them for all new bushings, shackles, springmounts and ubolts for my 1993 c3500I went with these.
You must be registered for see images attachYou must be registered for see images attach