Great point.
Weird: Corvette Bolt Missing
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,619
Likes: 4
From: Houston TX
Weird: Corvette Bolt Missing
I went yesterday to look for a squeak problem in my car and went to look under the car by the left rear wheel and noticed "THE ENTIRE SWAY BAR" just hanging by only the right clamp. It seems like the top bolt on the left clamp "simply fell off" and the entire clamp was bent over all the way down and the sway bar was jiggling...
I went to chevy to ask for a replacement bolt as the hole was clean (no broken bolt). They tol dme to go to a regulr hardware store as the bolt was M 12 X 1.75 X 30. Lo and behold 10 min. and $1.47 later, I'm back at my house attempting to bend the clamp back.
Finally got it on. had to rig upa set up including a socket wrench handle which I "threaded" through the clamp hole and "jacked" the clamp back up. Then used a LARGE 20 in. breaker bar to screw the bolt back on.
Finally done.
Man, was that an experience
One Note. The "stiffness" of the ride is back. I always wondered why my car "softened" down a bit.
I went to chevy to ask for a replacement bolt as the hole was clean (no broken bolt). They tol dme to go to a regulr hardware store as the bolt was M 12 X 1.75 X 30. Lo and behold 10 min. and $1.47 later, I'm back at my house attempting to bend the clamp back.
Finally got it on. had to rig upa set up including a socket wrench handle which I "threaded" through the clamp hole and "jacked" the clamp back up. Then used a LARGE 20 in. breaker bar to screw the bolt back on.
Finally done.
Man, was that an experience
One Note. The "stiffness" of the ride is back. I always wondered why my car "softened" down a bit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
I went yesterday to look for a squeak problem in my car and went to look under the car by the left rear wheel and noticed "THE ENTIRE SWAY BAR" just hanging by only the right clamp. It seems like the top bolt on the left clamp "simply fell off" and the entire clamp was bent over all the way down and the sway bar was jiggling...
I went to chevy to ask for a replacement bolt as the hole was clean (no broken bolt). They tol dme to go to a regulr hardware store as the bolt was M 12 X 1.75 X 30. Lo and behold 10 min. and $1.47 later, I'm back at my house attempting to bend the clamp back.
Finally got it on. had to rig upa set up including a socket wrench handle which I "threaded" through the clamp hole and "jacked" the clamp back up. Then used a LARGE 20 in. breaker bar to screw the bolt back on.
Finally done.
Man, was that an experience
One Note. The "stiffness" of the ride is back. I always wondered why my car "softened" down a bit.
I went to chevy to ask for a replacement bolt as the hole was clean (no broken bolt). They tol dme to go to a regulr hardware store as the bolt was M 12 X 1.75 X 30. Lo and behold 10 min. and $1.47 later, I'm back at my house attempting to bend the clamp back.
Finally got it on. had to rig upa set up including a socket wrench handle which I "threaded" through the clamp hole and "jacked" the clamp back up. Then used a LARGE 20 in. breaker bar to screw the bolt back on.
Finally done.
Man, was that an experience
One Note. The "stiffness" of the ride is back. I always wondered why my car "softened" down a bit.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5,492
Likes: 807
From: West coast CA
I went yesterday to look for a squeak problem in my car and went to look under the car by the left rear wheel and noticed "THE ENTIRE SWAY BAR" just hanging by only the right clamp. It seems like the top bolt on the left clamp "simply fell off" and the entire clamp was bent over all the way down and the sway bar was jiggling...
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,370
Likes: 787
From: Redondo Beach, California
Just a general information comment. Some hardware stores will sell poor quality nuts and bolts. I only use grade 8 on my cars. Grade 8 for strength and also it's hardened cad plated surface provides a little natural rust resistance.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 21,502
Likes: 461
From: Southern Utah
Since most hardware stores don't have a huge selection of metric bolts, they are usually of higher quality. With english bolts, they usually have grade 2, 5 and 8....I've never seen a hardware store that carried three grades of metric..
Racer
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 466
Likes: 7
From: Hickory NC
St. Jude Donor '09
Here's the torque specs for the rear stabilizer bar:
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Bolt 65 N·m 49 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Nut 95 N·m 70 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Link Nuts 72 N·m 53 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Bolt 65 N·m 49 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Insulator Clamp Nut 95 N·m 70 lb ft
Stabilizer Shaft Link Nuts 72 N·m 53 lb ft
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Pro
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 680
Likes: 11
From: Ames IA
That's really weird. Were they trying to make him crash or something? You'd think they would stick with egging, something in the gas, or keying it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 31,088
Likes: 23
St. Jude Donor '08 thru '13
Metric are 8.8 and 10.9 respectively, and will be stamped on the head of the bolt.
For an SAE bolt, three hash marks on the bolt head indicate Grade 5, and six indicate Grade 8.
As for plating, shiny silver bolts are generally Zinc coated, with a clear chromate finish.
Yellow bolts are Yellow Chromate, which offer a slightly higher resistance to "white rust" (or chalky corrosion), in areas of high moisutre.
Grade 8/10.9 bolts will be rated to 150,000 psi tensile strength, and Grade 5/8.8 bolts will have a 120,000 psi tensile strength rating.
While some suspension parts require Grade 8, or 10.9 metric, unless specified, or unless you need the additional resistance to corrosion, Grade 5/8.8 will be adequate.
Having all Grade 8 is fine, but weigh the benefit vs. costs.
Note- 68/70 Vette is correct- at Home Depot, your bolts may not even meet Grade 5 standards, and may not offer any corrosion protection, so get your bolts for your car somewhere reputable, like a good parts store, and check the bolt markings to ensure that they meet the strength and corrosion standards you require.
scotty,
former nut and bolt salesman
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 2,504
Likes: 0
From: NYC NJ
You won't be able to find Grade 5 or Grade 8 in metric.
Metric are 8.8 and 10.9 respectively, and will be stamped on the head of the bolt.
For an SAE bolt, three hash marks on the bolt head indicate Grade 5, and six indicate Grade 8.
As for plating, shiny silver bolts are generally Zinc coated, with a clear chromate finish.
Yellow bolts are Yellow Chromate, which offer a slightly higher resistance to "white rust" (or chalky corrosion), in areas of high moisutre.
Grade 8/10.9 bolts will be rated to 150,000 psi tensile strength, and Grade 5/8.8 bolts will have a 120,000 psi tensile strength rating.
While some suspension parts require Grade 8, or 10.9 metric, unless specified, or unless you need the additional resistance to corrosion, Grade 5/8.8 will be adequate.
Having all Grade 8 is fine, but weigh the benefit vs. costs.
Note- 68/70 Vette is correct- at Home Depot, your bolts may not even meet Grade 5 standards, and may not offer any corrosion protection, so get your bolts for your car somewhere reputable, like a good parts store, and check the bolt markings to ensure that they meet the strength and corrosion standards you require.
scotty,
former nut and bolt salesman
Metric are 8.8 and 10.9 respectively, and will be stamped on the head of the bolt.
For an SAE bolt, three hash marks on the bolt head indicate Grade 5, and six indicate Grade 8.
As for plating, shiny silver bolts are generally Zinc coated, with a clear chromate finish.
Yellow bolts are Yellow Chromate, which offer a slightly higher resistance to "white rust" (or chalky corrosion), in areas of high moisutre.
Grade 8/10.9 bolts will be rated to 150,000 psi tensile strength, and Grade 5/8.8 bolts will have a 120,000 psi tensile strength rating.
While some suspension parts require Grade 8, or 10.9 metric, unless specified, or unless you need the additional resistance to corrosion, Grade 5/8.8 will be adequate.
Having all Grade 8 is fine, but weigh the benefit vs. costs.
Note- 68/70 Vette is correct- at Home Depot, your bolts may not even meet Grade 5 standards, and may not offer any corrosion protection, so get your bolts for your car somewhere reputable, like a good parts store, and check the bolt markings to ensure that they meet the strength and corrosion standards you require.
scotty,
former nut and bolt salesman
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 5,464
Likes: 1
From: Chicago
I don't know. My guess is they wanted something to hang from the bottom. Kids now are really weird. MTV has destroyed their mushy skulls.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 53,520
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
Loose sway bar bolts was or is still a common problem. At least with the '05's. Also loose axle bolts, especially the rear passenger side.
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Cobb CA
I went yesterday to look for a squeak problem in my car and went to look under the car by the left rear wheel and noticed "THE ENTIRE SWAY BAR" just hanging by only the right clamp. It seems like the top bolt on the left clamp "simply fell off" and the entire clamp was bent over all the way down and the sway bar was jiggling...
Last edited by mountain ride; Apr 15, 2009 at 12:59 PM.