54 rear axel u bolts

[Troy P.]

I see that the chassis and rear axle assemblies were painted by suppliers before delivery to the assembly line. Were the 4 U bolts painted black with the rear axle and springs? Or were they bare steel or some other finish?

[Roy B.]

Re: 54 rear axel u bolts

4 U bolts painted black

[Troy P.]

Re: 54 rear axel u bolts

Thanks Roy.

[John H.]

Re: 54 rear axel u bolts

The axle U-bolts were natural as delivered to St. Louis (they weren't part of the axle), but were shot with black chassis blackout paint along with the springs just prior to body drop.

[Troy P.]

Re: 54 rear axel u bolts

Interesting John. I've seen people installing them bare so I was wondering what is correct.

Having researched previous threads on the rear springs it seems the thinking was each leaf was painted before assembly. Then apparently shot again as an installed group?

[Mark P.]

Re: 54 rear axel u bolts

I pulled my rear springs apart on my 56 and there was paint between the leaves. It lends me to believe that they were painted before assembly. In addition, the liners (on a 56) were not painted so that seems like it supports the "painted before assembly" assumption. The multiple efforts to put black paint on items that were already painted as assemblies doeesn't make much sense to me...but that doesn't mean they didn't do it.

I have seen the axle u bolts both painted and unpainted on restored cars that got no deductions for them either way. I think they look better unpainted, but that's my personal opinion.

Mark