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