stuck nuts (u-bolts)

[youngjeeper]

ok, so im currently working on taking off the old leafs to install the rusty's 6" lift, on the right front i have 3 stuck nuts, any suggestions on getting these badboys out? i have tried the following: a the spray stuff that goes on to loosen them, a nut splitter, a longer wrench, another person to pull, and a metal saw blade. the splitter,split itself. the saw blade is now dull and didnt even leave a mark, my hands are tired and im out of the spray. i need some serios help. :mad:

dan
youngjeeper@mail.com

[tuckers89GW]

torch, try cutting the ubolts themselves. I assume you are putting new one on anyway.

[oddfire]

I've done a bunch of lifts on a bunch of different vehicles and never had any luck trying to remove u-bolt nuts. Cut off the u-bolts with an angle grinder, torch or cutoff wheel and replace with new ones..................phil

[ April 02, 2003, 04:22 PM: Message edited by: oddfire ]

[Crazy_Jeepman]

LOL Cut em, your arms will thank you!!! :D

[youngjeeper]

alrite, thanks! my dad said were going to cut off the u-bolts themselves, he is going to find a new metal blade tomorrow to see if that will work, he doesnt want to torch it

[chrism]

Go out and get yourself an electric angle grinder and a couple cut off discs for it. It will go through those ubolts like butter.
Plus you will find tons of other things to cut and grind. It pays for itself in no time.

[HeepofaJeep]

Why doesn't he want to torch them? You could always heat up the nuts, and then use an impact, if you wanted to keep them, but cutting is always easier!

[Tad]

Originally posted by HeepofaJeep:
...You could always heat up the nuts, and then use an impact, if you wanted to keep them...Do not reuse Axle/Leaf Spring ubolts, trust me on this.
Get a torch and let them be gone.

[BIG BAD JON]

Use the angle grinder with cut off blade. Cut the u-bolts right in the center on the curved side. Only one cut, and you can turn the nuts, the u-bolts will turn, and you can just pull them out. ITS SOO MUCH EASIER!!!

[jeepcreep]

i was gonna say what big bad john said GRINDER!

[jeepinrandy]

Originally posted by tadsal:
Do not reuse Axle/Leaf Spring ubolts, trust me on this.
Get a torch and let them be gone.I heard that when you torque U-bolts the threads are slightly displaced to act as a locking mechanism as they stretch. If you take them off the slight depresion gets cut off and they won't lock correctly anymore.

[Glenn_tx]

Sawzall! Quick and easy. Blades are cheap. grinder will take longer.

[KYJ10]

4 1/2 angle grinder and the thin cut off wheels. Will zip em in about 5 seconds. But you do need a good angle grinder. Ive bought the cheap Harbor Frieght ones before, and they don't turn near the rpm's and last about a month. Ive got a $90 Dewalt, and love it. I probably use it 2-3 times a week. Just used a wire brush wheel to clean the surfaces of my exhaust manifolds. My favorite tool. Dennis

[olin18]

I have a 4 1/2" Dewalt Grinder too, and it is my Fav tool also... Although I do really like my drill...
I have always had pretty good luck with u-botls this way. Get the longest breaker bar you can find. I use one that is 3.5 Feet. And a Craftman socket. Put the socket on the nut and ream on the breaker bar. Sometimes I get lucky, and the Actual u-bolt will snap off at the nut. Then taking them off is Cake easy.
I say a Craftsman socket cause sometimes if you really go at it, The socket will be damaged. And Sears always gives me new ones for free.... No matter what. I even Keep 3 3/4" deep well sockets on hand at all times.
If the nut doesn't break right off. I cut the bolt with the grinder.

[youngjeeper]

my dad just got home from work, he says he went to the store and they told him "there ain't no blade that will cut threw them things" so he told me this weekend he will go out and rent an angle grinder w/air compresser (?), but im gonna tell him to just buy the electric one. i hope everything works out, im excited. btt, recieved the razor grille from fedex today smile.gif

[Glenn_tx]

No blades to cut a u bolt? He needs to go to a different store. Any metal cutting blade will cut them. Sawsall, grinder, you could even use a circular saw or a jigsaw if you could fit it under there. You can even use a hand hacksaw, might take a few minutes though. I definetly wouldn't rent a compressor to do this.

[CowKiller]

the best blades at sears wouldnt cut threw mine. i tried. ended up using a grinder with cut off wheel

[youngjeeper]

yea he had asked about a jigsaw blade that would cut threw and they said there is so such thing. we went out tonite and bought the electric angle grider with the metal cutting wheels, got home set up to cut, and there was no tool to unlock it to put the wheels on!! so it has to wait till tomorow so we can return it.

[ April 03, 2003, 06:23 PM: Message edited by: youngjeeper ]

[cocco_78]

Why don't you just put a breaker bar on your ratchet and giver hell? That's how I do it. I have a 3 foot pipe I slide over the ratchet handle, get my feet planted somewhere sturdy, and put some muscle in it. The bolts wont stay stuck for long, they will either loosen or snap. I've put enough lifts on rusty beaters.

As far as the sawzall blade, just get a bi-metal type blade. It'll zip right through the u-bolt no problem.