new or use old u bolts for leaf springs

[olranger]

i have a 91 ranger, i already have the leaf spring for the driver side rear. I got the sag of course. i know you should never reuse u-bolts or they say. but has anyone reused them and is it safe. u know as long as they look ok.

 

[flyingbrick]

Is your life worth the 50+/- bucks you'll save reusing them?
Are you a gambling man?

 

[Shoeboy]

Take a look at the u bolts. Inspect them and make sure there is cracking, deep pitting, or major rust (other then mild surface rust), replace them. If the bolts are in good shape reusing them shouldn't be a problem, but look at and inspect the threads, If the threads are stretched or damaged, replace. If you do reuse them, make sure you use new lock nuts. If you are unsure on checking anything, then don't risk it, replace them. Also, if you are using your truck for off road, or hard work, replace them. If you are using the truck for the occasional small load or just a DD, then reusing them should be fine if they check out ok.

 

[Downey]

i reused mine and i was worried till i get new ones

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

I've reused mine about 3 times over now with different rear end/ spring set ups. I don't see any problems win reusing the u bolts. If you are able to get the nuts off of them cleanly, I would not hesitate to re use them.

 

[Dusty_Ranger]

x2 sasq

 

[ranger_runner]

i reused mine and no problems i did replace the nuts.

 

[Smurf Mobile]

I'd be broke if I replaced them every time I took the axle out of the truck, swapped springs, shims......

As long as you can easily remove the nuts and there's no major rust or other problems then its fine to reuse them. BUT!!! if you see anything that gives you a pause about reusing them then it is time to replace them!

Andrew