Should I fix this?...U bolt question or save for another time.

[Techlight]

Hey all,

I'm sure it's a dumb question but I was curious if I should fix this or just leave it alone? (details below).

Just finishing up changing all my bushings on an 84 CJ7 that I got a few months ago. The rear is an AMC20. I had stopped working and was cussing at AMC for installing the stock shackle bolts so that the bolts hit the gas tank and can't be removed. Anyway, I noticed one of my U bolts was askew and wasn't sure if I should mess with it or not. It's quite solid and doesn't seem to be loose or shifting around at all.

There's a few reasons I'm asking the dumb question about fixing this. Normally the answer would be yes, however the following applies.

1. In the next year or so (will probably be the full year) I'll be replacing the springs and will end up changing everything out at that point.
2. Everything on this Jeep (like lots of them out there) is rusted and lots of trouble at various points with stuck bolts and things that look pleasantly easy and turn into a two day affair. I'm sure I'll have to take the spring plate when I take the U-bolts...at least that's my guess anyway because that's how it keeps going with this thing.

Not sure if I should open this can of worms now or save for later. What do you'all think? Of course I do plan on wheeling this, but nothing super heavy but wheel'n all the same. I'm also a bit concerned because it's a stock 20 and probably will be for at least the next few years (unless it breaks in that period haha).

Thanks for the replies....the help is always appreciated on here.

Note: Don't worry about those pesky shackle bolts...they are going to be cut out. There's no way I'm dropping my gas tank skid and my gas tank to remove some stock shackles. I posted a pic just cause.

 

[Tinman22]

You can try to loosen it and tap it over. If it dosent loosen than leave it it won't hurt anything the way it is.

You don't have to remove the tank and it's skidplate to change the shackles unless your going reuse them. You can cut them out using a sawzall or angle grinder. If you are going to reuse them you can still cut them out I guess just use new bolts.

 

[Old Dog]

I say "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

 

[Dan77CJ7]

you could the replace U bolt, cheap and a great peice of mind, you also get to know ur Cj better when you strip her down. think about gettting a can of PB blaster stuff works great on rusted bolts better then wd40. one peice axles in the rear you can do that for around $200-270 and DIY.

 

[Geep]

I say "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

Boy Howdy ! I surely do believe it that old proverb !

 

[mtnwhlr]

I say "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

it looks like it has been that way for a long time.

 

[IOPort51]

when you replace the springs, cut the old u bolts with a saws all and don't give it a second thought, new ones will come with the spring kit. I would, in an OCD moment, try to loosen and move the one you have just because if it does get any slack it is going to be real loose real quick.

 

[HackFabrication]

I say "if it's not broke, don't fix it".

And I say, "if it ain't broke, it ain't costin' ya nothin'"

 

[Lumpy Grits]

It's a 5 minute fix to loosen the nuts and set the u bolt correctly. Jack the body up to take ALL weight off the front axle and it 'hangs'.
The reason the u-bolt moved is because it wasn't installed correctly, to start with.
LG