- Primarily, the U-Bolt provides the force requiered to clamp the leaf spring anda related components firmly together. In addition to the leaf spring, these components include the top plate, axle seat, axle and bottom plate.

- The properly installed U-bolt eliminates any flexing of the leaf spring in the area between the U-bolts. This is particularly critical since the hole for the centerbolt in each leaf acts as a stress concentration wich would lead to rapid leaf breackage if spring flexing was not totally eliminated by the U-bolt clamping force.

- By firmly clamping the spring to the axle seat the horizontal forces acting on the centerbolt are greatly reduced wich in turn prevents shearing of the centerbolt.

- Poper clamping of the spring by the U-bolts provides the desired spring stiffness and contributes to maintaining the vehicle ride height and handling characteristics as originally specified for the vehicle.