Complete your Leaf Spring upgrade with U–Bolts and greasable Shackles
If you’re upgrading your leaf springs, don’t reuse old components that could cause premature wear or failure of your new parts. To fully optimise your suspension kit, it’s highly recommended to replace the original Bushes, U-Bolts and upgrade to greasable Shackles.
Polyurethane Bushes offer a longer service life than their rubber equivalents combining a blend of unique polymers to offer a higher level of wear resistance to extreme temperatures, salt water and petrochemicals.
RAW 4×4 Polyurethane Bushes have a high level of memory, meaning when twisted or compressed out of shape they will return to their original design parameters; nor will they change their hardness (durometer) under the most adverse conditions, which makes them perfect for off-road use.
Over time, due to the high stress of holding the suspension and axle together, U-Bolts can stretch in the threaded section, rust in harsh environments, or if raising the vehicle a longer, a U-Bolt is sometimes required.
For a small investment, a set of new U-Bolts will give you peace of mind that your leaf springs are securely fitted to your vehicle.
Greasable Shackles are essential when using Polyurethane Bushes, to keep them lubricated with grease to stop annoying squeaks.
When fitted, Polyurethane Bushes are coated with a generous amount of grease to reduce friction. The grease inside the bushes can be diluted through river crossing and harsh dusty or sandy environments which, more often than not, results in a noisy suspension.
Greasable Shackles allow you to relubricate the bushes from an easily accessible grease nipple on the side of the Shackle, getting new grease to the pivot point.