u bolts stuck

[macibell111]

cant get all of the u bolt nuts off the rear ,got 4 off but the others spin a little , but are too tight ,have soaked them , gonna try a bigger breaker bar I think I will try and heat them,no gas tank so no exploding m37.any suggestions,also the rear lower shock bolts are frozen , got the top ones off, bottom wont budge.any ideas ,or can I find new or used rear u bolts anywhere .??

[Master Yota]

Never, ever, re-use U bolts. Cut them off, and then head over to your local spring shop and have them bend up a new set. Easy as pie, and cost about $50 dollars-ish. U bolts stretch over time, and should be re-torqued to spec after about a hundred miles of driving. Because of this "stretch", used U bolts will never stay tight if you try to reuse them again. The spring shop should include new hardened washers and new nuts with the new u bolts.

As for the lower shock mounts, a little heat and some penetrating oil should do the trick. Make sure the cotter-pin has been completely removed (my CDN. M37 had castle nuts on both sides)...

Good luck!

[RMS]

im with Yota cut em off, but try removing the shock nut before you remove the U bolts and since your there replace the center bolt. a rusty jacking center bolt can lead to broken leaves.

[Master Yota]

im with Yota cut em off, but try removing the shock nut before you remove the U bolts and since your there replace the center bolt. a rusty jacking center bolt can lead to broken leaves.

At best a few broken leaves. At worst, the axle will no longer be located on the spring pack and can float around if you manage to hit a good pot hole or bump. The potential for disaster under those circumstances is incalculable...