Check out this quality control
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Check out this quality control
Steering Gear Box to frame bolt:
UPC 9/A3 3820342
This is an OEM bolt... never touched since installed by GM.
Curiously, the nut spins on & off with no problems.
That's probably why it made it through the assembly process.
UPC 9/A3 3820342
This is an OEM bolt... never touched since installed by GM.
Curiously, the nut spins on & off with no problems.
That's probably why it made it through the assembly process.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 383
Likes: 21
From: Greenville Ohio
Just to expand on 'MidShark's' post...
That's a special bolt that was installed on a limited number of Corvettes. What makes it special is when your upside down trying to remove the nut, you don't have to think of which way to turn it. No matter which way you turn it, the nut comes off.
That's a special bolt that was installed on a limited number of Corvettes. What makes it special is when your upside down trying to remove the nut, you don't have to think of which way to turn it. No matter which way you turn it, the nut comes off.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,684
Likes: 696
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
In the late 60s i worked at IH in the nut/bolt department, 1/4 to 3/4" bolts up to 9" long.
I have seen that happen, when the dies come loose/break they can create all kinds of "custom" threads on stuff. Sometimes you just got bored and thought, hey what would happen if i ?
I have seen that happen, when the dies come loose/break they can create all kinds of "custom" threads on stuff. Sometimes you just got bored and thought, hey what would happen if i ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,709
Likes: 3
From: Savannah GA
Actually, the base threads on that bolt were not die cut but were rolled into the steel when it was manufactured. The "odd" threads were supplied when a GM technician cross threaded the nut on and impacted the whee out of the thing to get it to seat all the way. The nut probably shows almost zero threads remaining since those were likely sacrificed as the "phantom" threads were cut.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
Actually, the base threads on that bolt were not die cut but were rolled into the steel when it was manufactured. The "odd" threads were supplied when a GM technician cross threaded the nut on and impacted the whee out of the thing to get it to seat all the way. The nut probably shows almost zero threads remaining since those were likely sacrificed as the "phantom" threads were cut.
Vendors are packaging off the shelf 3/18-16 carriage bolts & nuts and charging high prices for them as if they are OEM. The OEM 3820342 is 3/8-24 x 4-1/2 Grade 5. Can't find fine thread carriage bolts anywhere, especially grade 5.
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