Subframe, Swaybar and Control Arm Replacement Nuts and Bolts

[Ameer Antar]

You're probably OK using the bolts you got as long as you use the same class bolt that you took out (except any stretch bolts). Actually, on my car I reused the large bolts on the inner control arm bushing. They were very large and covered with oil, so they weren't even rusty and were very usable. I doubt that these bolts would need to be changed too often. The ones that should definitely go are the bolts on the outer end of the control arms. I'm not sure but I think these might be stretch bolts due to the torque sequence. 

For Brett I think the really important bolts are the large bolts that hold the subframe to the main frame rails. These are definitely stretch bolts, which I would only get from the dealer. They're like M12x1.5x98mm I think, so this would be an odd size to find at a local store, at least here in CT. I really don't know what the design difference between a stretch bolt and regular bolt is, but I wouldn't want to find out the hard way. And there's really not much of a savings when you're buying a few bolts...The subframe bolts were the most expensive at $3 a piece, the rest under $1 or 2. For all these reasons, I think the dealer is the best for suspension hardware. I used lots of stainless on non-critical parts, and found a box of M8 and M6 locknuts and washers really handy. 

-Ameer

----Original Message----

To: "'Ameer Antar'" <antar at comcast.net>,
From: "Matt Evans" <matt at mattevans.org>
Date: 11/12/2004 3:02:04 AM
Subject: RE: Subframe, Swaybar and Control Arm Replacement Nuts and Bolts

Unless the t44 is vastly different then the 89 in this regard, then I have
to disagree :)

I just removed all 4 control arms, and all 8 CA bushings.  I bead blasted
and finished the control arms, and then put new bushings back in.

I bought brand new zinc coated metric 10.9 bolts from a local store called
"Mac's Hardware".  They have an entire wall of metric hardware in black,
stainless, and zinc dichromate.

They sell this hardware for $4.99/lb.

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 :)