To washer or not to washer?

[blazenbaja_67]

While i was doing the 14/44 swap i notice some of the riviots are loose on my 84 k5 my question is do you use washers on the bolts that you are putting in place.Any body do this some advise would be great

 

[toomany]

It'd be a good idea to use washers when replacing a rivet with a bolt. I'd use grade 8 hardware too.

 

[big dan]

Ive always used grade 8 hardware with washers and locking nuts. If Im in no hurry to replace the rivets I drill the hole out and use 7/16s stuff as well.

Drilling the hole larger is not necessary but I feel that washers and lock nuts are important.

 

[tourdog]

yes i have done this several times the best way is to use case harden grade 8 bolts grade 8 flat whshers on both sides use grade 8 lock washers and grade 8 lock nut not the nuts with the plastic in the top the nuts that are ovel shaped the one time use ones with the red lock tight and lots of it .can get all at a good heavy truck store and if they have them use frame bolts a little more coin but better grade of bolts and nuts still use lock tight

 

[chaser0517]

Yes... Use washers.... I just spent 3 hours taking off a hitch that someone didn't use washers on... And it should've came off in like 20 minutes...

 

[sweetk30]

also get bolts with a solid shoulder. this filles in the hole better . full thread bolts flatten out and make rool for movement later.

i do grd 8 and grd 8 hardened washers and grd 8 crimp lock nuts. not nylock

 

[Speedo]

You need to use the hardened washers because the bolt is harder than the metal used for the frame and the bolt and the nut will start working themselves into the frame and the bracket and loosen. The hard washer will prevent that from happening. I would recommend fine thread because they give you a greater clamping force at the same torque when compared to a coarse thread.

Gus