Rear Suspension Cradle Nuts - replace?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Rear Suspension Cradle Nuts - replace?
Putting my car back together after a clutch change and in the factory shop manual it says the nuts holding the cradle to the frame need to be replaced with new. Is this necessary? Can I reinstall the originals with some blue Loc-tite? I can't see why you can't re-use them? Opinions from those who've done the same job, please.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,366
Likes: 249
From: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Normally I would have just reused the nuts with some blue loc-tite on them and I'm sure there would be absolutely no problems. There are other fasteners in the chassis that GM specifies to replace also. It's been explained to me from GM techs that I know that the reason GM specifies this is because some fasteners require some type of locking sealant. By telling you to replace, you will be buying fasteners with the sealant pre-applied. It makes sure you didn't reinstall them without some glue. I think there's no problem reusing the nuts with loctite, just wanted to hear what others have done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,393
Likes: 17
From: Belleville Mich.
stripper, you are correct in regards to the manual stating to not reuse the old nuts & use new nuts on the rear cradle.
I had my differential out a few years ago & I reused the original nuts.
(w/out loc tite).
However , my car is driven very few miles a year & is not a daily driver.
Also my car sets up in the air & I routinely inspect the underside.
I had my differential out a few years ago & I reused the original nuts.
(w/out loc tite).
However , my car is driven very few miles a year & is not a daily driver.
Also my car sets up in the air & I routinely inspect the underside.
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Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 22,025
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From: At the beach in little Rhody
I replaced them and didn't see any thread locker on the old or new nuts. Seemed to me that the thread fit was a tighter class.
Not sure I like the Loctite idea although it seems several have used it. If you break the stud loose from the frame you will have to cut the body to repair so I didn't second guess GM.
Not sure I like the Loctite idea although it seems several have used it. If you break the stud loose from the frame you will have to cut the body to repair so I didn't second guess GM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,275
Likes: 226
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Vettenuts, invalid info
See that 3/8" of material at the end of the stud, vice grips and your back in biz, done it on quite a few cars
Techs blast the nuts off with air and bust the rivet
I never replace(along with every shop I talk to), torque to factory spec, 80lbs iirc
See that 3/8" of material at the end of the stud, vice grips and your back in biz, done it on quite a few cars
Techs blast the nuts off with air and bust the rivet
I never replace(along with every shop I talk to), torque to factory spec, 80lbs iirc
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,275
Likes: 226
From: Farmington CT
Cruise-In VII Veteran
