Unreal...They can't be that rusted on can they?

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I am trying to remove my rear springs and I can't get any of the old U-Bolt nuts to break loose. I'm using a 1/2 impact wrench and it's still not budging. Any advice? Should I use heat?

 

[Tito]

Heat should help but you may as well cut em off and get new ones. I have cut many u-bolts off, the fine threads tend to really rust up.

 

[br0nc0xrapt0r]

X2 just get new ones they are pretty cheap or you can spend a bit more and get the heavy duty ones from WH they are pretty tough.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I have the WH heavy duty ones sitting here already. I just didn't think I would have to cut them off. I don't have a cutting torch. Where/how should I cut them?

 

[ajl7742]

x3. Most of the ones that I have had to force off with an impact end up ruining the threads anyway.

 

[ajl7742]

I have cut them right above the plate and never had any problems. Just make sure the truck is stable, you don't want anything to shift when they come loose.

 

[Tito]

I'd cut them anywhere you can get a clear shot, usually right below the upper plate or just above the tube.

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

I'd cut them anywhere you can get a clear shot, usually right below the upper plate or just above the tube.

I'm assuming you use a torch, but I don't have one. Do you think I could cut it with a hacksaw? I don't even have a sawzall. Maybe I can get to them with a cutoff wheel.

 

[Blue71]

I always use a an 4 1/2" Angle grinder with a .045 super thin disk. Cuts like butter.

Blue71

 

[Tito]

Nope, cutoff wheel. I am not allowed to play with torches ;D ;D

 

[Broncoman]

4.5" Angle grinder with cutting disc. If you don't own one you need one.

Nope, cutoff wheel. I am not allowed to play with torches ;D ;D

I wonder why.%) %) ;D ;D

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Holy @#$% Batman! I cut one side of a bolt and I thought the whole world was coming down on top of me. I lowered the rear housing as far as I could, but I think the springs are still under tension. Made a loud pop when it broke. Is that normal or do I need to figure a way to get the rear end up higher? I don't have anything to put under my jack stands to get the frame any higher. The housing is sitting on top of the jack, which is bottomed out. Suggestions?

 

[Tito]

Yup, pop goes the leaf spring, there is some tension but you should be good. Find what you can, old rims, soda cans, whatever to get the frame up and let that stuff sag down.

 

[73azbronco]

PB blaster the nut, let it sit for a day or two, then hit it with a propane torch heat it up then use the wrench.. Or cut it off... Use lots of jack stands...

 

[cgbexec]

Be very carefull, but that is how I got mine off, a 4.5" cutoff wheel and yet they sound like a gun going off!

 

[RajinCajun]

I have a 1/2" IR Titanium, 1000lbft of reverse torque.. sorry got a little carried away... U bolts are the only thing I have ever hung it on that it would not either take off or break.. it acts like the length of the u bolt and lack of positive locking that makes them spring forward and back with the impact gun.. Have had to use a 1/2" breaker bar on a few that were not that old.. but 99.9% of the time I take the gas ax to them and just put new ones on

 

[eb66to77]

If you are going to cut them cut at the apex of the "U" or absolute bottom. That way the missile that is created doesn't go anywhere. All you have to do after the cut is finished is turn the "U" half away from the axle and pick the plate up. I hae sent chunks of metal flying a million times and prefer this way over the other ones.

 

[Jeepster]

As a rule of thumb, U bolts should never be reused. and cutting with the hot wrench is the way to go. If you must clean threads with a wire brush, spray with penatrant, 6 sided socket with long breaker bar and work it back and forth till the sucker comes loose. (seeing impact you no have)

 

[Chief Master Sergeant]

Okay, so I went with the cut off wheel and had success. Now the darn shackle bolt is seized up. I have an impact wrench and have been given her hell for about an hour, with no movement. I will PB blast it again for the 5th time and try again tomorrow. Can you cut these off too? I tried a breaker bar, but that was a no go as well. I'm a little leary to bow up on it too much with it sitting on jack stands like it is.

 

[Tito]

Make yourself a super breaker bar with a big pipe or high lift handle (works great). This will allow for fairly gently prying on the bolt but with great strength.