hi everyone,

i am really new to the whole, build/maintain your own car thing and as such havn't built up a selection of nuts and bolts etc.

Basically i want to get a selection of bits so that as and when i replace things i can put new fastners on aswel.

Having spoken to my local shop he said he can do me anything i want, just give him lengths, sizes etc and this is when i come unstuck, i just don't have the knowledge yet to tell him what i need.

can anybody give me a run down on "essential" backup fixings to have in your garage. I'm assuming stainless.

if it helps the car is a fisher fury with a kseries engine and escort running gear.

Thanks

Alan

Given your car I would be surprised if you find an Imperial fastener but you can never be sure.

Staple thread sizes will be M6, M8 and M10 with machine screws of various lengths (no shank or portion between the head and the thread) and bolts (with shank) of various lengths. Hex head, socket cap etc are your choice. Most will be coarse thread pitch with some engine and driveline being fine. Nyloc nuts are the preferred defense against loosening and should only be used once on critical joints. Get a good selection of washers for spreading loads too. Form A (standard Ø and Form C larger Ø) are useful.

Stainless can be used on none strength critical components but not on suspension / driveline mounts etc.

Personally I would get hold of a Namrick mixed metric pack here and go from there. Screwfix are also quite good for fasteners cheap.

[Edited on 24/11/11 by SeaBass]

Seabass,

what a fantastic reply, just what i wanted to know!! Many thanks i shall get on namrick now!

So a shopping list that looks like this shoud be fine.....



Mixed Metric Internal Tooth Lock Washers (6mm to 12mm)
Mixed B.A Plain Washers (6,4,2BA)
Mixed B.A. Internal Tooth Lock Washers (6,4,2BA)
Mixed Metric Plain Washers (6mm to 12mm)
Mixed Pack - Metric:550pcs - Hex Head Bolts, Nuts and Washers

mmm.

The B.A. washers are not required - they're a different type of thread for old electrical and mechanical items.

I would just get the mixed pack to get started which contains plain washers and spring washers the last time I got one.

Make sure your metric bolts and nuts are stamped 8.8 at least ( tensile strength ). B&Q etc bolts are made of cheese.

Invest in a set of thread gauges, metric and imperial, a Zuess chart and possibly a set of verniers (digital if you can't read the manual type ) with that lot you should be able to measure any bolt your likely to come across. Always use a bolt when possible rather than a set screw which is threaded along it's entire length and can cut into crush tubes etc. Bolt markings are explained in the Zuess chart (tensile strength) Unless you are replacing bolts like for like you may be better reusing the original rather than an inferior fitting.Normal (non locking)nuts are reusable but don't reuse nylock/aerolock nuts Beware there are a lot of rubbish fittings around,