Subframe, Swaybar and Control Arm Replacement Nuts and Bolts

[Bob Rossato]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: quattro-bounces at audifans.com
> [mailto:quattro-bounces at audifans.com]On Behalf Of Matt Evans
>

<snip>

> Only gotcha - the items I took off were 17mm, the ones I put on were 16mm.
> Same thread pitch, shaft diameter, etc.  Just different fastener sizes,
> oddly enough.
>
> I'll mail the list if my bolts snap and my control arms come
> flying off from
> not using dealer bolts :)

Control arm and ball joint fasteners are not an area I would recommend
economizing on.  Just getting the right size fastener is not enough.  The
material properties play a big factor.  What are we talking about saving
here, $20-$30 for all the bolts?  Given the potential severity of a failure
in this area, it doesn't seem like a wise choice to me.

And if it's mail order convenience, as I believe the originator of this
thread was after, then call some place like Clair Audi or Crescent City
Porsche/Audi and order the proper hardware, at a discount, and have it
delivered to your door.

Just ask the owner of a certain red 4ktq from the New England area how much
he "saved" by using non-oem bolts on his front suspension when his ball
joint popped out while traveling down the highway.  He got real, real lucky
in my opinion.

Bob