Bolt Size

[mollyman]

I need to know what size and length the bolts for the rear suspention are. I am finishing shakle flip this weekend and just realized I cut up the old bolts (rusted all to hell) to get the old springs out easier and threw them away. I think 9/16 and have no idea how long, but want to know for sure before I go to the store. If they are different front to back then I need to know all 4 bolts. If it helps I have an 81 k10 sub and am replacing the stock springs with new "stock" springs. THANKS

 

[mollyman]

Can anyone help me please ???????

 

[loafer]

The bolts on all the 1/2-ton stuff I've worked on have all been 9/16-12 grade 8. I don't remember the length, but that's easy to figure out with a tape measure.

 

[mollyman]

what do you mean by 9/16 -12 ???

 

[bigjbear]

12 is the pitch

 

[loafer]

12 threades / inch; it's course thread not fine.

You should use lock nuts as well, the distorted thread kind. Don't use lock washers as a substitue.



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[mollyman]

why not lock washers?

 

[loafer]

why not lock washers?

Becuase they don't do anything unless you have a low stiffness joint, such as two pieces of wood. On newer cars you will not see lock washers used anywhere.

It's also been my experience with the leaf spring eye bolts that if you tighten them too much the leaf eye will bind. The only way to keep a nut from backing off if it is not tightened sufficiently is with a lock nut.

Other's may have diffenent opinions, and I have also never bothered to check the factory torque spec for these bolts.



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