Front spring U bolts

[Howard Wright]

Hi All

Thanks for the responses.  If I can summarise 

There seems to be no mechanical reason why u bolts are used over bolts and plates however they do form a light and neat solution and as far as initial manufacture (or with the engine out) are easy to install.

Bob’s comment about a plate stiffening the spring to the extent of snapping the spring may be possible but will depend on the extent and shape of the plate.

The reason for the original question is that having installed a bowed front axle and finding that it provides too little ground clearance for trialing I am constructing a “trials” front end that can be swapped over late summer for the season and back in spring for road use. The only bolts to undo are the spring, radius arm ball, brakes shock mounts and steering arm. Of these it is the spring bolt under the cam pulley that is the most difficult. However it is not that difficult so I will probably stick with u bolts.

Thanks for all the help 

Cheers

Howard