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Ubolt/SpringPlate & Axle Width question.

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by DanStew, Mar 12, 2005.

  1. Mar 12, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,586
    I got the rear axle instaled tonight, it is loosely botled on. I got myself a set of Chevy cast metal spring plates. This is the palte the ubolts bolt to. Well One way if i mount it. the Ubolts will slide in the holes, but there is about 1/2 inch from the Ubolt to the spring on each side. The Ubolts are not setting against the Spring pack. If i go the other way, i can have the ubolts sitting against the spring pack but the Ubolts will not even be close to going into the holes, i will need another inch to get them in the correct place. my wuestion is can i run the Ubolts with the 1/2 gap between them and the spring pack or will this cause problems?? If i run it the other way, the Ubolts will be way bigger than the axle tube, the ubolts i have now fit the tube perfectly. I would like to keep it the way it is now. Everything seems it would stay put if i make sure it is all tight. What do you guys think??
     
    DanStew, Mar 12, 2005
    #1
  2. Mar 12, 2005
    $ sink

    $ sink Gazillians of posts

    Virginia Bch
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    a pic would certainly help
     
    $ sink, Mar 12, 2005
    #2
  3. Mar 12, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    I know, i left my camera at work this weekend.
     
    DanStew, Mar 12, 2005
    #3
  4. Mar 13, 2005
    Glenn

    Glenn Kinda grumpy old man Staff Member

    Apopka, Fl
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    I'd be willing to bet in no time it'll end up shifting if the ubolts aren't up against the springs. You need to do what it takes to install it just like originally designed. I'm not saying go back to original, just set up your new mounting nice and snug.
     
    Glenn, Mar 13, 2005
    #4
  5. Mar 13, 2005
    wheelie

    wheelie beeg dummy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor

    York, PA
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    Certainly seems like something that would fall into the " safety issue " catagory, Dan. Not an area tread lightly. I would do what it takes to make it right and would agree that something will likely shift or move around sooner or later.
     
    wheelie, Mar 13, 2005
    #5
  6. Mar 13, 2005
    61CJ5

    61CJ5 Member

    Lafayette, CA
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    Feb 9, 2003
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    188
    I'm actually interested im this too, because I'm looking to do the same thing with one of the u-bolts on my front axle, due to differential clearances. My first thoughts are that it won't be safe, it has a pretty good chance of moving.

    In your situation, it's easy enough to avoid that I wouldn't risk it. You could get some different spring plates that are the right size, wagoneer ones I know will work. It wouldn't be very hard to make some either, that's what I'm going to do to take advantage of my offset spring perches.

    The other thing you could do would be to turn the spring plates such that the u-bolts would be the half inch from the springs, and then drill 4 new holes in the plates right up against the springs. I'm not sure there would be enough metal left for this though. If the plates are cast steel, you could weld up the old holes and then do this.
     
    61CJ5, Mar 13, 2005
    #6
  7. Mar 13, 2005
    DanStew

    DanStew Preowned Merkin salesman Staff Member

    Lexington, South...
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    Sep 22, 2002
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    4,586
    Thanks guys. I got it all worked out. I went back and measureed the mouuts, and found ones that fit fine, i just had to open up the Ubolts a touch. So the rear is good to go, i just have to figure out the front since i have to deal with the cast monut on the axle.

    Thanks!!
     
    DanStew, Mar 13, 2005
    #7
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