square u-bolt top on late 2A front axle

I've just ordered new u-bolts for my front axle, late series 2A.

The rusty one on the left is one of the short ones (1 of 3). My new replacements for these look right.

On the right, I've laid the new 'long' one on top of old 'long one'. The length is right but the old one is squared off at the top, while new one is round.

The front axle number is 241-----B, so it is a 2A axle. It's a late 2A however, and I have in the past had to order some fittings for the swivel hubs by Series 3 part number, as they beefed these up in the later 2A years..

When I went on Craddocks looking for squared off u-bolts, I only found some much later ones, intended for Series 3 axle suffix D.. but they are squared off at the top like the I just took off:

https://www.johncraddockltd.co.uk/s...front-2-25-petrol-series-3-axle-suffix-d.html

None of this means the squared-off one that was on it was "right" of course.

So, do I want a squared off 'long' one for my 1969 2A front axle? Or did someone put a squared off one on incorrectly when they fitted the springs I know they put on a few years back? I'm not sure what models had one of these squared off u-bolts on the front axle and which ones didn't.

Note, it's an RHD 2.25 Petrol. So 9 leaf springs.

(I just found some square u-bolts on Craddocks for Series 2 11-leafers..)

Just in case this is useful to anyone searching the forums later.. or if anyone can shed light on which one has the larger thread..

I ordered by two other part numbers to get a squared off u-bolt to fit left of the axle casing at the front on my 2A:

Original Oemu.bolt for 9 Leaf Front Spring.
562641G

U Bolt Metric Front 2.25 Petrol Series 3 Axle Suffix D
90624033

These are both squared off at the top, but:

- one is a bit longer and needs a larger nut
- the other is a bit shorter, and takes the 7/16" nuts I have (and that the parts book specifies, and that fit the u-bolts I took off in the first place)

Naturally, they weren't labelled when they arrived so I don't know which is which!

I'll fit the second one, as it takes the nuts I have and that fit the u-bolt I took off..

And I assume the bigger one is the Series 3 one though? Are Series 3 u-bolts bigger?

Fit the one that fits the axle the best. I had a late 2a and it was a bit of a mish mash of parts. Land Rover are well known for trying new model parts on previous models and raiding the old parts bin on early new models. And after 40 years who knows what has been fitted.

tottot said:

Fit the one that fits the axle the best. I had a late 2a and it was a bit of a mish mash of parts. Land Rover are well known for trying new model parts on previous models and raiding the old parts bin on early new models. And after 40 years who knows what has been fitted.

Click to expand...

Lots of us who have worked on Series vehicles over the years have fitted whatever we had to hand that fitted well ...

I'm sure Land Rover meant the the parts to be fairly interchangeable from 2 - 2A and on to 3 ... then for 'upgrades' that won't quite up to task ...lol

the change over from impy sizes to metric was haphazard at best ...

I take it bailing twine wont pass an MOT anymore.

the o/s inner u bolt was squared but ,since the parts have long been obsolete ,you have to use whats available and those will vary

Well she doesn't need an MOT anymore and I do have some bale twine in the shed..

@James: the first one I was sent by part number was right in every way except for the rounded top. I'm not sure how important the squared profile at top is.. I feel like it is that way to take the load more evenly but I don't know. any comment? would you put a rounded one there?

tottot said:

Fit the one that fits the axle the best. I had a late 2a and it was a bit of a mish mash of parts. Land Rover are well known for trying new model parts on previous models and raiding the old parts bin on early new models. And after 40 years who knows what has been fitted.

Click to expand...

I will do that tottot cheers

The squared off OEM bolt fit nicely. I thought it was shorter than the original one but there wasn't much in it and I realised the originals have probably stretched that much over the years.

A productive day here.. got the wrong steering rod though, it's longer than the workshop manual tells me should be between balljoint centres!