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Suspension bolts
RoadkillUK - 27/7/03 at 11:50 AM

It's come to the stage (nearly) where I'll be bolting the car together so I'm wondering what size bolts will I be needing for my suspension? The brackets and suspension parts are from MK.

MK7 - 27/7/03 at 04:45 PM

I've got an MK and they supplied me with M12x70mm HST (8.8) galvanised bolts

Russell

RoadkillUK - 27/7/03 at 08:58 PM

Cheers MK7, can anyone confirm that MK sells the same brackets for the 'book' locost that he does for the 'Indy' ?

Dick Axtell - 28/7/03 at 07:03 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RoadkillUKCheers MK7, can anyone confirm that MK sells the same brackets for the 'book' locost that he does for the 'Indy' ?

Hi,
My "book" chassis came from MK, and I've just discovered that the coilover (damper) fixing brkts are drilled to accept 1/2" bolts, but the rest of the brkts (wishbones, panhard rod, trailing arms) are all drilled at 12mm, so I've used 12 x 60mm bolts here. For the dampers, 1/2" unf x 2.5".
ATB
Dick

spy - 28/7/03 at 09:55 AM


My "book" chassis came from MK, and I've just discovered that the coilover (damper) fixing brkts are drilled to accept 1/2" bolts, but the rest of the brkts (wishbones, panhard rod, trailing arms) are all drilled at 12mm, so I've used 12 x 60mm bolts here. For the dampers, 1/2" unf x 2.5".
ATB
Dick


Yep, 1/2" bolts are very commonly used on dampers. Roadkill, double check whether you've got 12mm or 1/2"(12.7mm). 0.7mm is a lot of difference

MK7 - 28/7/03 at 12:00 PM

The wishbone brackets on my Indy measure 50mm (outside edge to outside edge), the shock absorber brackets measure 40mm.

I can pass a 1/2 inch drill bit through the top shock absorber bracket with a bit of slack, the same bit won't pass through the lower bracket.

I'm not sure if this is an issue but I'm planning to use M12 bolts all round (shocks and wishbones). Someone stop me if this is likely to be a problem

Russell

[Edited on 28/7/03 by MK7]

RoadkillUK - 28/7/03 at 03:39 PM

Thanks all, bought 22 M12's and 6 1/2" bolts today, can't really check at the moment as the chassis was trailered to 'Peateys' in Yeadon for blasting and powder coating, should be ready to collect on Friday.

Dick Axtell - 28/7/03 at 05:33 PM

quote:
Originally posted by MK7: I'm not sure if this is an issue but I'm planning to use M12 bolts all round (shocks and wishbones). Someone stop me if this is likely to be a problem

Got my shocks from Darren George (doz@gtscougar etc.), and the 12mm bolts won't fill the sleeves in the end-fittings(0.7mm slop!). A 1/2" bolt is really necessary (unless you get some foreign Euro-compliant dampers).

RoadkillUK - 29/7/03 at 11:17 PM

Am I correct in thinking that the thread on the bolt shouldn't start until it has passed through the bracket? i.e. no thread inside the bracket.

leto - 30/7/03 at 06:59 AM

quote:
Originally posted by RoadkillUK
Am I correct in thinking that the thread on the bolt shouldn't start until it has passed through the bracket? i.e. no thread inside the bracket.


If you going to drive your car only in theory: No. For any use in reality: Yes.

Cheers Leif

RoadkillUK - 30/7/03 at 12:47 PM

In which case I have the wrong bolts

£20 too, nevermind, I'll take them back on friday when I can get a measurement from the chassis.

Ben_Copeland - 31/7/03 at 12:14 AM

I've come up against this now too... need to get the right bolts for the job.

So far i have used XE headbolts with the thread ground down a bit. Just to get everything together. Until I can get the proper bolts. Which will hopefully be soon !!!

Rorty - 31/7/03 at 12:52 AM

RoadkillUK:

quote:

Am I correct in thinking that the thread on the bolt shouldn't start until it has passed through the bracket?
Correct. I posted about this a while ago, the thread name escapes me, but may be worth a search.
Briefly, you need aircraft industry fasteners, They have a standard length of thread for each diameter of bolt, to accommodate two washers and a locking nut. The shank lengths are available in 1/8" (American, wouldn't you know!) increments.
With these fasteners, both sides of the suspension brackets are in contact with the correct diameter of bolt shank. Using ordinary engineering fasteners will result in the thread remaining inside the hole on one side of the bracket, thus putting unequal stress on the bracket.