Installing rear spring bolts
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Installing rear spring bolts
I installed the new 8" spring bolts yesterday and I've got a couple of questions:
First, why are they NOT cross-drilled for a cotter pin? Second, can the Nyloc nuts be backed off, once they are in position?
Reason is that I ran the nuts up about an inch or so on each side, and the car didn't drop more than a quarter inch or so. I would love to back those nuts off to the end of the 8 inch bolt, if I was sure I could trust them. They are VBP bolts and nuts.
Bottom line -- is it safe to just back those nuts off toward the end of the bolts?
First, why are they NOT cross-drilled for a cotter pin? Second, can the Nyloc nuts be backed off, once they are in position?
Reason is that I ran the nuts up about an inch or so on each side, and the car didn't drop more than a quarter inch or so. I would love to back those nuts off to the end of the 8 inch bolt, if I was sure I could trust them. They are VBP bolts and nuts.
Bottom line -- is it safe to just back those nuts off toward the end of the bolts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Twenty year old technology said you use them only once. Does that include backing them off a little. I would drill them, as stated earlier, and put castle nuts and cotter keys back. Always err towards safety!
Bernie
Bernie
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Although it's not the answer you wanted to hear, you could muchroom the bottom of the bolts a little. That way if the nuts did back off the wouldn't come off the end of the bolt. It would make it more difficult to remove later.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
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From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I believe I would let them down and see if that is where I want them to be. If that is it, just go to Home Depot, Lowes, or Ace Hardware and get new nuts.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 11,593
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From: Clayton NC
Backing them off will not destroy them.. I would NOT dimple the ends of the bolts... If you feel that unsafe remove the bolts drill a hole and insert a cotter pin. They will be fine though... Dave...
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Race Director
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From: WI
Your bolts are not drilled because they are from VBP and NOT from GM for a Corvette, they are generic bolts you could of bought for (probably) 1/2 price and NO shipping from any industrial supply. I have longer bolts, loctite (blue) and double nuts holding mine together.
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
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From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by redvetracr
Your bolts are not drilled because they are from VBP and NOT from GM for a Corvette, they are generic bolts you could of bought for (probably) 1/2 price and NO shipping from any industrial supply. I have longer bolts, loctite (blue) and double nuts holding mine together.
...redvetracr
...redvetracr
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Jclgodale3
That makes sense. I want to drop the rear another half inch and since LockTite has worked for me in so many other ways, I'll do the double-nut and LockTite thing with this project. Thanks Guys ....
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 230
Likes: 0
From: Somewhere in Mo
lowering stance...8" bolts??
ok...somebody type reaaalll slow so maybe I can understand this approach to changing the stance of my car...it needs lowered just a bit...alot of space between tires and rear wheel wells.
8" bolts are the solution?
Tim
8" bolts are the solution?
Tim
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
Originally Posted by Timbo2
ok..
8" bolts are the solution?
Tim
8" bolts are the solution?
Tim
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,461
Likes: 2
From: Allen TX
Timbo2, here is a how to I wrote on lowering the rear. Its really easy to do.
Rear Lowering
I am just using the nylon lock nut and it hasn't come loose at all. I have adjusted the ride height multiple times with it also.
Rear Lowering
I am just using the nylon lock nut and it hasn't come loose at all. I have adjusted the ride height multiple times with it also.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: WAY SOUTH OF HEAVEN inebriated
Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
I installed the new 8" spring bolts yesterday and I've got a couple of questions:
First, why are they NOT cross-drilled for a cotter pin? Second, can the Nyloc nuts be backed off, once they are in position?
Reason is that I ran the nuts up about an inch or so on each side, and the car didn't drop more than a quarter inch or so. I would love to back those nuts off to the end of the 8 inch bolt, if I was sure I could trust them. They are VBP bolts and nuts.
Bottom line -- is it safe to just back those nuts off toward the end of the bolts?
First, why are they NOT cross-drilled for a cotter pin? Second, can the Nyloc nuts be backed off, once they are in position?
Reason is that I ran the nuts up about an inch or so on each side, and the car didn't drop more than a quarter inch or so. I would love to back those nuts off to the end of the 8 inch bolt, if I was sure I could trust them. They are VBP bolts and nuts.
Bottom line -- is it safe to just back those nuts off toward the end of the bolts?
Last edited by 1980 454; May 16, 2005 at 07:51 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,951
Likes: 1
From: Shore NJ
Originally Posted by 1980 454
First nylocks can be backed off but not recommended to remove and reinstall twice and (DONT) use your impact on nylocs or they are garbage third there is no cotter pin holes becuase its a nyloc style bolt. I work with nylocs everyday and also have the same spring bolts as yourself i prefer nyloc they never loose grip . from what ive seen over the past 12 years. drilling holes in a nyloc style bolt thats new to me and wouldnt help any
