91 Chevy K1500, Need source of supply for leaf spring U bolts, U bolt anchor plates, and top spacer

Hi everyone,

I have a 1991 Chevy K1500 4WD 1/2 ton pickup truck with a short bed. The truck has a Conventional two door Cab and the wheel base is 117.5 inches. The engine size is a 4.3 V6, engine code Z, & the truck has an automatic transmission.

I need the four U bolts than hold the rear leaf spring to the rear axle. I also need the U-bolt anchor plates that go under the axle. I also need the small thin rectangular spacer that goes between the underside of the top portion of the U bolts and the top side of the leaf springs.

The dealer wants $43.00 each for the U bolts which seems ridiculous since most U bolts in hardware stores are only $2.00 to $6.00 each. Why are these things so expensive ? Can I just get a matching grade 8 U bolt from a hardware supplier and use that ? Is there anything special about the OEM U bolts ? They are the "square bend" type of U bolt.

Can anyone recommend an aftermarket supplier that offers quality replacement meeting OEM specs ? I want everything to be at least as good as the OEM parts. I'm familiar with LMC truck, would there replacement be as good as OEM ? I think the LMC catalog listed lefts and rights for the anchor plates but they look the same. Why would a left and right anchor plate be needed ?

I would appreciate any feedback or related experiences with U bolts and anchor plates. My originals have rusted quite badly.

Thanks John

Reply to
John2005
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go check out

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or your local NAPA store.

some parts are dealer only..., but I suspect you can buy these aftermarket.

Axle ubolts are made specifically for that job and are supposed to be torqued to exact specs.

----------- Elbert snipped-for-privacy@me.com

Reply to
Elbert

I looked online at NAPA and did not see the U bolts or the U bolt anchor plates for this vehicle.

Reply to
John2005

I would visit the NAPA store....I don't think their web site is that good. You may be able to find something online.

Some of that stuff is GM >I looked online at NAPA and did not see the U bolts or the U bolt

----------- Elbert snipped-for-privacy@me.com

Reply to
Elbert

go to a local wrecking yard. old john

Hello, John2005! You wrote on Mon, 13 Oct 2008 11:57:50 -0700 (PDT):

J> I have a 1991 Chevy K1500 4WD 1/2 ton pickup truck with a short bed. J> The truck has a Conventional two door Cab and the wheel base is 117.5 J> inches. The engine size is a 4.3 V6, engine code Z, & the truck has an J> automatic transmission.

J> I need the four U bolts than hold the rear leaf spring to the rear J> axle. I also need the U-bolt anchor plates that go under the axle. I J> also need the small thin rectangular spacer that goes between the J> underside of the top portion of the U bolts and the top side of the J> leaf springs.

J> The dealer wants $43.00 each for the U bolts which seems ridiculous J> since most U bolts in hardware stores are only $2.00 to $6.00 each. J> Why are these things so expensive ? Can I just get a matching grade 8 J> U bolt from a hardware supplier and use that ? Is there anything J> special about the OEM U bolts ? They are the "square bend" type of U J> bolt.

J> Can anyone recommend an aftermarket supplier that offers quality J> replacement meeting OEM specs ? I want everything to be at least as J> good as the OEM parts. I'm familiar with LMC truck, would there J> replacement be as good as OEM ? I think the LMC catalog listed lefts J> and rights for the anchor plates but they look the same. Why would a J> left and right anchor plate be needed ?

J> I would appreciate any feedback or related experiences with U bolts J> and anchor plates. My originals have rusted quite badly.

With best regards, snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net. E-mail: snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net

Reply to
<ajeeperman

Maybe you could try a spring place. We have two in our town - Central Spring and Tractor Trailer Service. They have everything you need.

Used is not an option in my books for u-bolts. Look closely and you will see they have fine thread where you will only find coarse thread ones (deeper thread - less metal) at the dime stores.

Reply to
Gordie

Try

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Cheers

Reply to
Martin Riddle

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