Thread: Correct size U bolts for Series 3 Land Rovers?

Hello again and answering my own question.

The front axle serial number on my truck, located on the axle tube below the left hand breather, is 91170244E.

From a little further searching of obscure web sites I gather that the first three digits (911) identifies the axle casing as having been fitted originally to a 109” 4 cylinder RHD truck - confirming my long held suspicion that these were not the original axles and diffs, Ratel being an 88” truck. The suffix (E) apparently identifies the vehicle as possibly containing some metric parts.

Axles3 by Neil MacLeod, on Flickr

I can’t locate a serial number on the rear axle, but the tube diameter is the same as the front axle.

So, drawing this together I am concluding that the U bolts on my truck are indeed metric as apparently fitted to some, if not all, S3 Land Rovers. Makes a nice change from Miss Scarlet with the lead pipe in the observatory.....

Cheers,

Neil

I found Paddock spares has a good range of u bolts and fairly good explanation of where each type goes in each model.

It seems there are round tops and squarer tops. and these change depending on front/rear and diff type.

Have a look at Paddocks site it may make it a bit clearer for you.

Ian

Hello again from Brisbane.

Yes, there are various U bolts. Typically, the front axle has 3 that are the same and 1 that has a more square profile because it is closer to the diff casing. The rear axle has 4 U bolts that are the same.

The main issue has been the bolt diameter. None of the local suppliers are particularly helpful in differentiating which fits which - had some very long conversations with a couple of suppliers in Queensland and Victoria on the topic.

Anyway, I have solved it now and will move on to a few other tasks.

Cheers,

Neil