I seriously doubt you bent the axle to the tune of 5 inches. Somethings not quite right, maybe an optical illusion, but it looks like the spring length from front mounting point to axle center is longer than axle center to rear shackle. Secondly, as far as I know, the "U" bolts are not to be re used, I don't know the reason, google it. Third, your rear shackle mount in the second picture looks to be on a tilt. I definitely wouldn't have that on the road, MTO or the LEO's could spot that a mile away.