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Suspension bolts
AlexXtreme - 8/10/13 at 04:34 PM

The bolts for my back suspension arms are very rusty... (they are getting on for 13years old) and I am about to take off the arms and give them a good clean off and repaint. Has anyone used stainless steel bolts for the suspension? The rest of the chassis is st. steel (it is a quantum xtreme), so I thought why on these bolts. I know st. steel is not as strong as steel bolts, esp 8.0 or 10.8 but they are held on with 4 x M12 bolts and the load can not be that high on these cars...
Look forward to any comments / ideas
Cheers Alex

FuryRebuild - 8/10/13 at 04:47 PM

generally, stainless doesn't like reciprocating loads - they're great in tensile but are brittle as a result and will work-harden much sooner.

You need the right mild steel bolt. I asked a similar question here a while ago which prompted me to do some research

AlexXtreme - 8/10/13 at 04:56 PM

Thanks!
Did you get bolts with any kind of coating or did you accept that they will rust after a while?
Driving in the winter there is plenty of salt on the road :-(
Alex

designer - 8/10/13 at 05:39 PM

Never use stainless steel bolts in any critical area, use Grade 8.

DavidM - 8/10/13 at 09:41 PM

Use bright zinc plated (bzp) bolts. They are grade 8.8 as standard and although they will dull, they won't rust.

David

AlexXtreme - 9/10/13 at 07:22 AM

thanks Dave... will try a local supplier down the road and see what they have.

Alex

b14wrc - 9/10/13 at 11:36 AM

Look for these on ebay:

M12 M14 M16 Hex Head Bolt Steel Grade 8.8 - Zinc Plated Hexagon Head Bolt

I bought 70mm versions for mine and they are perfect. The guy who runs the shop is really helpful too and delivery is very quick.


Rob

AlexXtreme - 9/10/13 at 11:42 AM

Hi Rob,

Thanks for this and a useful link! unfortunately mine are all M10... but found a similar side that offered backs of 4 x M10.

have bookmarked the ebay sites for further ref. though..

Cheers
Alex

b14wrc - 9/10/13 at 12:17 PM

No problem. All my bolts have come from them, recommend them.

Rob

40inches - 9/10/13 at 01:36 PM

I've found Screwfix to be good for HT bolts Plated M10

AlexXtreme - 9/10/13 at 01:41 PM

Thanks - had a look - unfortunately my car needs small quantities of (oe 2 and 4 off) of different lengths. Screwfix do packs of 10 or 100.

loggyboy - 9/10/13 at 01:54 PM

quote:
Originally posted by AlexXtreme
Thanks - had a look - unfortunately my car needs small quantities of (oe 2 and 4 off) of different lengths. Screwfix do packs of 10 or 100.


Get bulk long ones and cut them down?

To be fair, at screwfix (or often cheaper, toolstation) prices you will probably pay les for 10 than you will in total for 4 singles at B&Q or homebase or a bolt specialist.