Anyone know what the thread is on the mounting bolts for the rear shocks on a 99 T & C.
it seems to be 12mm but I don't know the pitch. Took the old shocks off and two of the four bolts are not usable. One was bent (appears the bottom of the shock hit something) and another was galled. Dealer didn't have in stock nor did any of the auto parts stores in the area. Went to a nut and bolt store and got two but they don't fit. Trying to figure if the threads are stretched or if they gave me the wrong pitch thread. Probably the latter.
Also, the bolts are threaded all the way with a pilot pin on the end and a capured washer. Seems that they should have a shoulder.
Those are high strength bolts, if you do not use the correct ones you could have problems. Possibly breaking off as you drive the vehicle. It would take one day to order the correct ones from the dealer. My suggestion to you, Order from the dealer
We have a local small hardware store here that has a nice selection of metric, including Grade 8 bolts. Unfortunately stores like that seem to be disappearing, I've gone to many larger ones who's fastner section could have been put in a tin can, or they have a huge selection of English bolting hardware and practically nothing in metric.
You can also get the correct bolting hardware from a u-pullit wrecking yard.
May have to end up doing that. Took what I still consider to be good advise and ordered from my dealer. told me have them in the morning. next morning no bolts and after three calls they said it appeared that the feeding distributor was out of stock. Ordered from Detroit, special overnight delivery. Next day no bolts and they can't even tell me when. Say they have tracking number that doesn't work. say they have to call the Detroit source but waited to late in the day to do so.
They won't ever call me. I have to call them to get them to check and when they do they can't tell me anything. Just that they are not here.
I've never heard of ordering something shipped UPS or Fed Ex and not being able to track the shipment.
So I've been on jack stands for three days and will be for this weekend and then probably for another day or so due to Katrina. All for the want of two high strength shock mount bolts.
You would think that dealers would stock a couple of these things. My experience of removing four and finding two not usable can't be an isolated case. Particularly since the lower shock mount is unprotected from hitting something (which must have happend to the bent bolt based on the scaring on the bottom of the shock) and that the mount design is cantilever rather than yoke.
Well that is enough ranting. No u-pullits in my area. they say liability issue. However, I have a friend who owns a salvage yard, will contact him on Monday if not closed because of Katrina.
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