Posted by Mike Hamari on 12/30/2010 to U-bolts

HUSKY SPRING custom bends over 4000 kinds of u-bolts in the following rod thread diameters:

3/8" Grade 5 tensile strength equivalent
7/16" Grade 5 tensile strength equivalent
1/2" Grade 5 tensile strength equivalent
9/16" Grade 5 tensile strength equivalent
5/8" Grade 8 tensile strength equivalent
3/4" Grade 8 tensile strength equivalent
7/8" Grade 8 tensile strength equivalent
1" Grade 8 tensile strength equivalent
1 1/8" Grade 8 tensile strength equivalent

We use straight rod which comes to us prethreaded by a shortest rod lengths (8" long before bending) to as much as 6" per leg on the longest rod lengths (52" long before bending).

The rod lengths are available in 2" increments which means leg lengths possible are in 1" increments although the actual leg length possible is dependent on the width and shape of the bend. Therefore if the request is for a 10" leg length we would supply the closest fractional inch over 10.We have approximately 50 sizes and shapes of dies to make custom u-bolts from as narrow as 1 1/2" inside span to 6" inside span. We also have a source which can bend some of the sizes we can't. . . such as 1 1/4" thread diameter u-bolts and up to 8" between the leg spans.

U-bolt tips:

Alternate tightening u-bolt legs in the u-bolt pair by tightening a little on each leg and in a criss cross pattern until the specified torque for the size is reached.
Retorque after no more than 50 miles of travel.
Always use deep nuts and thick hardened washers to apply retain the proper clamping force.
Do not reuse u-bolts because proper torquing locks by stretching the threads slightly. If removed then retorqued, u-bolts may not hold sufficient clamping torque resulting in the spring flexing through the center zone and eventually causing spring failure.