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Old 01-11-2022, 03:35 PM   #1
Clem Clement
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Default short U-bolts

when I replaced the front spring on my '39 pickup, the U-bolts are too short for the cotter pins holes to clear the castelated nuts. I 'm using lock washers and torqued to 55psi.The truck is not used for long hall driving. Looks like a challenge to replace the bolts?
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Old 01-11-2022, 04:02 PM   #2
Kube
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Clem, There were a number of different U-bolts and clamps. I'm thinking you have one / or both incorrect. Is the spring you'd installed correct?

Clem, The bolts are easy to replace. I'd suggest doing one at a time and only starting the nuts on that one until the second bolt has been installed.

I'm still willing to bet you have incorrect parts to go with your new spring.
Did the replacement spring have the same number of leaf's? Same overall thickness?
If there are nylon liners between the individual leaf's, that'll add up to about an additional 1/4".
If the replacement is after-market, well, all bets are off as the accuracy.
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Last edited by Kube; 01-11-2022 at 04:55 PM. Reason: added information
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Old 01-11-2022, 04:44 PM   #3
Bob C
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Why would you need lock washers and cotter pins?
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Old 01-11-2022, 04:51 PM   #4
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob C View Post
Why would you need lock washers and cotter pins?
Read post #1 again... He can't get the cotter pins installed.
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Old 01-11-2022, 05:03 PM   #5
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Mike,


Bob C's question is a fair one as the obvious answer is that without the lock washers, likely the cotter pins would fit into the bolt shank holes. Originally, Ford did not use both lock washers and slotted hex nuts with cotter pins in that application.
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Old 01-11-2022, 05:38 PM   #6
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Quote:
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Mike,


Bob C's question is a fair one as the obvious answer is that without the lock washers, likely the cotter pins would fit into the bolt shank holes. Originally, Ford did not use both lock washers and slotted hex nuts with cotter pins in that application.
We'll need to wait for Clem's response methinks. The way I read his post, he installed lock washers only because he could not get the cotter pins installed.
Bet ya a coffee the next time I see ya
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Old 01-11-2022, 06:20 PM   #7
Clem Clement
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Sorry fellas: I lied. No lock washers on any of my 3 cars. It sure looks like the U-bolts will hit the crank pulley when trying to remove them. The rear U-bolts on my original-to -me trtar springs the cotter hole just RELY ENTERS THE CASTLES. iS THErE 2 sIZES TO THe CROSS piece?

MY eyes are watering constantly and I can't see to speak
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Old 01-11-2022, 07:07 PM   #8
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Quote:
Originally Posted by Clem Clement View Post
Sorry fellas: I lied. No lock washers on any of my 3 cars. It sure looks like the U-bolts will hit the crank pulley when trying to remove them. The rear U-bolts on my original-to -me trtar springs the cotter hole just RELY ENTERS THE CASTLES. iS THErE 2 sIZES TO THe CROSS piece?

MY eyes are watering constantly and I can't see to speak
Ah Clem, what are we gonna do with you?
The bolts will clear the pulley unless your motor mount rubber biscuits are really shot.
Yes, there are at least two sizes of the cross bars.
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Old 01-11-2022, 07:27 PM   #9
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Biscets are new.


I(have been sneezing straight since 4 :30. Eyes pouring. Can 't think. e-v-8 zoom tonight

so dumb of me about the washers.
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Old 01-11-2022, 07:40 PM   #10
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Can you shave down the bottom of the castle nuts a little bit to make them fit and be safe?
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Old 01-11-2022, 09:00 PM   #11
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Default Re: short U-bolts

For what it is worth, Ford stopped using true castle nuts as a running change fairly early in the 1933 model year (in U.S. production) shifting to the less expensive slotted hex nuts from there forward.
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Old 01-11-2022, 09:03 PM   #12
Clem Clement
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Sorry again.
I'm told the U-bolts come out easily. The nuts are thick. Maybe I have the wrong cross piece. 3threads on the castles do not touch the bolt
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Old 01-11-2022, 09:05 PM   #13
Clem Clement
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Default Re: short U-bolts

DavidG,
Tell us more, please
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Old 01-11-2022, 09:30 PM   #14
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Clem, as Kube pointed out above, you have to tell us how many leaves are in the new spring you installed and whether the spring includes plastic liners. There is a chart in the "Green Bible" on page 178 that shows all the different 5455 front spring clips. Your truck should use a type 9 clip and there are at least 5 listed for your model year vehicle, so we are going to need a little help to give you an answer.
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Old 01-11-2022, 10:47 PM   #15
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Default Re: short U-bolts

ten leaves both front and rear. I can feel the pad above the spring. I have the rear spring wrapped.
Dennis himself said the front spring set was NOS. It was covered with some kind of goo: Cosmoline?? I think I have enough bite on the U-bolt to be safe.
Thanks
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Old 01-11-2022, 10:48 PM   #16
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Default Re: short U-bolts

I used nyloc nuts on my '41. never loosened up in 25 yrs.
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Old 01-12-2022, 10:47 AM   #17
Clem Clement
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Default Re: short U-bolts

How many leaves am I supposed to have?? Reeeemember, in the past I used to fuss about all them womens what used to camber for rides in my peecup?? (Not so many enquiries anymore).(me and Lawson ride alone mostly these days) (Righto Lawson?????)
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Old 01-12-2022, 12:40 PM   #18
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Clem how long do the u-bolts need to be to fit your frontend? I may still have some from my truck build.
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Old 01-14-2022, 04:53 AM   #19
Clem Clement
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Not easy to measure. Front U-bolt: Looks like 4 1/2inches from threaded end to upper edge of flat portion crossing frame. The rear U-bolt is about 5 inches in length

10 leaves in front and 9 leaves in the rear.

Last edited by Clem Clement; 01-14-2022 at 08:50 PM.
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Old 01-15-2022, 06:51 PM   #20
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Default Re: short U-bolts

Clem your front/rear springs seem to be proper, checked my tear down notes and when doing my suspension had 10 front and 9 rear before tear down.

I now have 10 front and 12 rear but have the posies super slider springs and air shocks in the rear.

I had some fitment issues with my T front and rears after using Slip Plate coating on the individual leaves. I went a little heavy and had to shave off some of the product to get my springU-bolts to fit and bolt up the cotters.

Now...about them women's, I think there the same ones showen up here in O.O.B. around the end of may
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