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I ordered V2 steering arms and they should be here tomorrow after removing shims last week and finding the camber settings not where I hoped. So today I figured I would prep by getting one side off and ready to go when snap went the bolt. Trying to find a 10.9 replacement locally is like trying to buy the winning lottery ticket. Parts are on order but the always daunting task of frozen bolt removal I will leave to the morning when I'm not so damn pissed.
If it makes you feel better, I would consider this a blessing in disguise! The bolt was most likely already compromised so changing it out is probably a good thing.
Also I would recommend changing out all 4 bolts (the two for each front corner) while you are there. This cost to change them all out before alignment is nothing compared to if you should have a failure to your bolts when driving.
just looking at is with a glass half full compared to half empty. ?
Nobuyasu you may be right on the blessing and yes I ordered all four corners when I found I couldn't obtain locally and will also order a backup set for my spares. Time will be tight on getting parts here before my alignment and corner balance appointment. Fun begins in am with the bolt. I had good luck last year on a Volvo Penta broken bolt so I'm hoping my luck holds out.
Weird that your bearing carriers look soo much better than mine did but even after 15 years mine extracted easily. But good to replace all. I am always amarrased a bit by the surface rust but when I say I am going to coat it I get lazy. Spray with PB blaster or similar to make removal of old one easier. I also spray brake cleaner on raw parts before new installation to clean any grease or solvent. Good luck with process. Easier than star shield removal by far
Tommy
I just had old ones out last week that's the strange thing and didn't overdo the locktite. I feel like a dummy with Mcmaster I googled size and grade and they had nothing but once I went to the actual site I do see that they have in 12.9 grade. What considerations should I be concerned with going to a higher rating? Seems I read something about higher rating but prone to shock failure or some other consideration. I see that you have to order higher quantities but that's ok. I was worried and just shot off order to Don at Lotus to make sure I had in hand early in the week.
Does someone want to be nice and give the specifications for these bolts? I am going to be doing the v2 arm and want to take the advice of replacing the bolts at the same time.
Update getting the bolt remains out was a breeze since there were three threads left so after heating it came right out with vice grips. Chased all the holes and ran all bolts thru a die and just cleaned everything up well and then got stuck for hours on one damn ball joint. Five came right off with a borrowed fork and a five lb hammer but that last one kicked my ass. It's off and I'll replace the ball joint tomorrow. New OEM bolts will be here Monday. BTW I read that the potential problem with the 12.9 grade cap screws is brittleness and being on the suspension I feel better going OEM.
The difference in a 10.9 and 12.9 bolt isn't going to be an issue. Likely the OEM bolts were used to provide a very high quality part while saving a few bucks.
San
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