Posted by Kevin in Ohio [162.158.74.246] on Thursday, May 17, 2018 at 01:05:30 :
In Reply to: U-bolts revisited posted by Clint Dixon [172.68.90.97] on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 at 13:12:57 :
For what it is worth, I'll tell you what little I know! LOL
When I was building my truck I wanted stainless U bolts. Totally Stainless makes them but they are pricey. I called them and talked to the owner and found that he was using an outside contractor and the had a $100.00 set up fee fro each size on custom orders. My truck has 3 different sizes.
I asked if he'd be willing to send me the hardened, length with the threads on them. He agreed but wished me luck. They roll the threads and he told me the reason why is because cut threads are more likely to have stress risers and will snap quicker. I did a prebend in mild steel and gave him the measurements. I made up rollers for my bender to do it. He sent it and I found the hardened stainless required a .500 smaller diameter inner roller to get the same size as mild. It worked fine and I adjusted for the rest of the ones needed.
I called him back and told him I needed more. He laughed and said I told you'd have issues. I then told him it was fine I wanted the rest of the sizes. He was kind of shocked and wanted to see pics. after seeing the pics he asked if I'd be willing to send it to him so he could look at it. I did and he told me it was better than he was having done with no marring. He bought the bender I have and now does them himself in house.
I've rebuilt a lot of stuff and replaced axles. We had springs bust all the time on the farm trucks and even the spring shops didn't replace the u Bolts unless they twisted off. Personal opinion it is for the most part overkill to do so.