Over the weekend, I used four grade 8.8 bolts from the hardware store to install my rear control arms (had to hack the old ones off). I got the bolts for about $2.xx a piece as opposed to $5.xx from Honda's grade 10 bolts. Will I be okay keeping these in there and running with them, or should I still order the Honda ones (which i planned on doing in the first place.)

99 DX, will see regular autox events in the nice weather coming soon, as well as some spirited driving. will these grade 8.8 bolts hold up?

how big is the "difference" between a grade 8.8 and grade 10 bolt.

thanks in advance,
Dinko

 

Metric class 8.8 is similiar to SAE Grade 5. Personally I would look for a class 10.9 bolt.
http://www.k-tbolt.com/bolt_chart.html

 

I dont use any SAE graded bolts. I only trust AN graded bolts... There is no enforcement of SAE grades, no batch testing. AN graded bolts are batch tested and the only thing the FAA allows to be used in aircraft..

 

So you saved $12 and might possible put you, your passengers, and anyone else on the road in danger??? I would go to the dealership and at the minumum get the ones that are made for there, or stronger.

 

There is some speculation that honda has pulled the bolts from the market... I dont know how true that is... All I know is that I would not use hardware store bolts on my suspension. When I was building my factory five cobra, I used all AN grade fasteners and I have yet to experience a problem

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DrSeuss &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Metric class 8.8 is similiar to SAE Grade 5. Personally I would look for a class 10.9 bolt.
http://www.k-tbolt.com/bolt_chart.html</TD></TR></TABLE>
Bingo.

There is a reason that Honda's suspension bolts cost $5+ apiece.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Targa250R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">There is a reason that Honda's suspension bolts cost $5+ apiece.</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yup, too bad they don't carry them no more.

 

i have a local Fastenal store here in town, anybody have any experience with them?
http://fastenal.com/

I will be placing an order soon for RTA bushings, I might just pick up the bolts that i need from Honda then...

 

A decent hardware store should carry a wide range of grades. My local ACE has SAE Grade's 5 and 8 and Metric grades 8.8 and 10.9, sometimes you have to ask as in my ACE they grade 10.9s are across the store from the rest of the bolts for some reason. But no I would not trust an 8.8 bolt in part of the suspension, braking, engine mount, or any other high stress area of the car.

 

I am working with Fastenal as we write. I ordered a couple of shaft clamps for an out of production Ground Control swaybar. They carry an assortment of grade 8.8 bolts but most max out at about 69mm in length. You can always try McMaster-Carr. They carry these types of bolts. Once you select a bolt category, the page will prompt you to select other specifications you require in the bolt. In the end you get a drawing with every specification you selected. If you still have questions, you can speak with an engineer, nice! You will need to be specific about thread pitch; thread pitch is used to determine metric thread type, not thread count as is the case with SAE.

If you do not know what the pitch is, you can always purchase a bag of the proper size bolts (#8, # 10 for example) from Fastenal and try the pitch on an existing bolt to confirm your needs.

I forgot to add, that when I ordered my bolts from McMaster-Carr, I ordered grade 10.9 - a longer than stock lower rear damper bolt for a 99Si.

 

Hmm....I just replaces my LCA bolts and had no problems getting them from the dealership.....

The ones that go through the shock....12 bux a piece.... but worth it.