You can find a center bolt in a leaf spring assembly. It’s placed in the center of each leaf in an assembly (in the hole). There are usually 4-5 leaves, and each one carries a hole where a center bolt is inserted. The center bolt holds these leaves together and connects them to the axle through the bold head. This is what gives vehicles rear suspension.

A center bolt is vulnerable. Hence, it’s crucial for one to find high-quality center bolts to make sure it doesn’t break or bend. This is possible if the leaves are bound tightly together by a u-bolt. The latter clamps the leaves on each side of the center bolt. Both the center bolts and the u-bolts rely on each other to keep the leaf springs solidly bound. If one gets too loose, it may lead to breakage because the leaves put out too much pressure.

Fastening a u-bolt means there should be enough torque specs. Inaccurately fastening the u-bolt, as mentioned earlier, can damage the center bolt, causing inadequate suspension for your vehicle. The effect is not immediate, however. It may start from bending the center bolt then the leaves in the assembly follow.

The primary difference between the ordinary and imported center bolt is the materials used. Both are of high-quality, but the latter is more reliable for heavy applications.