Here we go again.....

[pelbo]

Thanks for the replies. As it is, we ordered eight new u-bolts two days ago to replace all of them, since all would have been compromised.

I will ask the repairer about the spacers. Hopefully the bolts will arrive tomorrow and we can be on our way again soon.

[pet-els]

I would suggest that he old U bolts had run out of thread [because the spacer was left out] and when the nuts were tightened up they stretched the bolt and it was only waiting to happen.

PeterH

[SteveW]

The nuts aren't the problem. Lock nuts are fine. It the nuts had come loose the u-bolt wouldn't have snapped (end result might have been worse.

Situation present two possibilities:
Poor quality metal used to make the u-bolts, or
Nuts over-tightened.

I guess the first.

[BruceS]

Too late now but the cost to drill out the holes and go up a size of "U" bolts may have been an idea .... once you get back home perhaps?
Contact a good spring maker for good quality u-bolts. (eg; Sealy's in Mt Gambier)
They make them BEFORE tempering.

[pelbo]

Installed better quality u-bolts and also found that there was a spacer in there between the axle and the spring, which had slipped out of the photo shot!