Thread: Effect of bent Ubolt

Probably no effect except to make it more likely to fail, but there is a chance that the same impact that did the bending may have sheared the head off the spring centrebolt, and this can have serious effects up to and including loss of steering, and it woould be a good idea to check it when replacing the U-bolt - this means removing the good U-bolt as well and lowering the spring to check it. If the head is completely off and the spring not rusted up the spring will come apart as you loosen the U-bolts.

Mmmm, I was wondering about the nut that seemed to be missing there. I think the bend was caused by the impact wit the ground when the wheel fell off my landy, but i'll check both things ASAP. Fortunately I don't have to drive it for 2 weeks

Originally Posted by Phoenix

Mmmm, I was wondering about the nut that seemed to be missing there. I think the bend was caused by the impact wit the ground when the wheel fell off my landy, but i'll check both things ASAP. Fortunately I don't have to drive it for 2 weeks

Missing nut? U-bolts may have either a nyloc nut or a locknut, or may even have locking plates. While the S3 should be UNF with a nyloc nut, the earlier BSF U-bolts fit, and these could have either a nyloc nut or a locknut or a locking plate.
John

I was thinking that the pin through the center of the springs had a nut, but they don't. I asked my old man, and apparently it's always been bent since we got it. But i'll replace it anyway. The thing that is confusing me is the bottom spring plate. it must have shifted, as it is just flat plate in the center of the spring, no pin through it like on the other side. It looks like it might have shifted fowards. Not sure, i'll have a closer look when i have it off.

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I was thinking that the pin through the center of the springs had a nut, but they don't. I asked my old man, and apparently it's always been bent since we got it. But i'll replace it anyway. The thing that is confusing me is the bottom spring plate. it must have shifted, as it is just flat plate in the center of the spring, no pin through it like on the other side. It looks like it might have shifted fowards. Not sure, i'll have a closer look when i have it off.

The pin through the centre of the spring is called the centrebolt - and it does have a nut, usually with the bit that sticks through the nut rivetted over. The centrebolt is just like an ordinary bolt except that the head is round. It has two functions - the round head locates the spring relative to the axle, and the bolt holds the spring together until the U-bolts are tightened.
It certainly does sound as if pulling it off for a look might be worthwhile.
John

Originally Posted by Phoenix

I was thinking that the pin through the center of the springs had a nut, but they don't. I asked my old man, and apparently it's always been bent since we got it. But i'll replace it anyway. The thing that is confusing me is the bottom spring plate. it must have shifted, as it is just flat plate in the center of the spring, no pin through it like on the other side. It looks like it might have shifted fowards. Not sure, i'll have a closer look when i have it off.

My Stage 1 had a broken right hand centre bolt when I bought it. The axle slipped forward and back depending on acceleration and braking. I highly recommend replacing it ASAP!

Steve