U-bolts wanted, or where to get

[ibrooks]

'lo all,
I'm after a pair of U-bolts for a project but they appear to be an odd size as I seem to be drawing a blank at all my usual suspect suppliers (not that I have an extensive list). The existing bolts are 5/16" and clamping a 1 1/2" diameter steering rack but they only stick through the mounting plate by a few threads which I'm just not happy with. There's obviously no issue with changing to M8 and I've got a bit of wiggle room on the width too so 40mm-ish internal should be no problems.

The only suppliers I've found seem to do bolts that are for a slightly bigger diameter which I could probably accomodate but they are M10 which I can't accomodate or the next size down won't fit around the rack and are only M6. Exhaust clamps are available ad-infinitum but apart from the strength issue they aren't any longer than the existing bolts anyway.

Any idea where I might find high tensile extended leg U-bolts? Ideally in Lancs or someone that will do mail-order if possible.

Thanks

Iain

 

[john224]

Try EXHAUST clamp U bolts,,

 

[rtbcomp]

Could you make/get a saddle to go round the rack and hold it in place with conventional nuts & bolts? Big end/main bearing caps maybe?

 

[reedx]

Any help?

http://www.beal.org.uk/automotive/exhaust-clips/cat_188.html

Colin

 

[NeilH]

make some

 

[ibrooks]

Try EXHAUST clamp U bolts,,

Exhaust clamps are available ad-infinitum but apart from the strength issue they aren't any longer than the existing bolts anyway.

There's already an alloy saddle against the mounting plate and I have thought of making a second one for the other side but there's not a great deal of room between that side of the rack and the body so it's going to be a delicate part to make, not impossible just fiddly.

However...... I have been mooching around other cars and the MGF seems to use a very similar setup but on one side it has a U-bolt (which I'll bet is the same part as my existing ones) but on the other side it just has a piece of flat bar formed to go across the top of the rack and meet the tops of the saddle and then a plain pair of bolts go through the whole lot and whatever it mounts to.

I've found an outfit called Graphskill that do U-bolts the right dimensions apart from the length of the legs in their "heavy pattern" range. I thought I'd hit the jackpot as I was reading the chart.

If anyone else can suggest somewhere to get the -bolts it'll make life easier but if not then it looks like some metal bending will do the job.

Iain