Board logo

crush tubes
Miks15 - 1/9/08 at 10:59 AM

My front suspension crush tubes have an ID of 13mm, but im using M12 bolts. This obviosuly give alot of play around the bolt. Should i get different bolts? Or can i swap the crush tubes over to get the right ID?


Secondly what ID should it be for an M12 bolt? is it 12.5?

Thanks

Mikkel

coozer - 1/9/08 at 11:14 AM

Sure they are 13mm and not 1/2"? May be worth double checking, mine are all imperial although 7/16"

indykid - 1/9/08 at 11:18 AM

sounds like they're 1/2", 12.7mm in metric

are the holes in your brackets 12mm? are they welded onto the chassis yet?

tom

James - 1/9/08 at 11:56 AM

I'm sure you know this, but remember the crush tube doesn't rotate around the bolt.

The crush tube is stationary and the bush rotates around the crush tube.

HTH,
James

Miks15 - 1/9/08 at 12:21 PM

ahh right mabye they are 1/2", all my brackets are for M12 but they can easily be drilled out as not yet welded on. What are the tolerances on it? can i drill the hole out to 13mm and it be ok?

D Beddows - 1/9/08 at 02:42 PM

Sorry, have to say this....... why not do it properly for heavens sake and make everything either 1/2" or 12mm? Surely it's preferable to bodging together one of the most important aspects of the car? Find somewhere else to save money if you have to, this really isn't the place to be doing it!

Miks15 - 1/9/08 at 02:51 PM

this is the one place i have put money in...

Bought the front wishbones complete wth bushes etc... and then bought the brackets from a different supplier....

I am just wondering what the best plan of action would be? get new crush tubes to fit my bolts? or to get new bolts to fit the crush tubes and re drill the brackets?

D Beddows - 1/9/08 at 02:58 PM

Depends - if you have the kit to accurately enlarge the holes in the brackets I'd do that (a drillbit in a black & decker isn't really the right kit btw ) otherwise I'd get new crush tubes and sell the ones you've got. If you didn't buy stainless crush tubes this may be a good opportunity to get some .........

[Edited on 1/9/08 by D Beddows]

RoadkillUK - 1/9/08 at 03:38 PM

I'm just refurbing my rear axle on the Locost and my shocks are from GTS (Nitrons I believe). All my suspension bolts are M12 other than the suspension bolts which are 1/2".

Just to let you know, you're not on your own