4WD
$50 site donor 2024
I get lots of grade 5 and grade 8 plated bolts at TSC …
subbed some metric for SAE on my winch installation .
subbed some metric for SAE on my winch installation .
Bolts are difficult to comprehensively stock for all makes and models for auto parts stores. They only carry what they think they can reasonably sell and make some sort of profit on.My daughters BMW bolt broke that holds the bracket for her tensioner pulley.
OMG a nightmare getting the bracket off to remove the bolt. Its the entire oil filter housing bracket.
M8 bolt 110 mm long(4 1/8 )
Advanced or napa did not have it. Couldn't even offer to get one.
This is a grade 8.8 bolt, I guess this is a standard metric grade.
I ended up getting two at ACE that was a bit longer and will be cutting 1/4 off it so it wont bottom out.
Just venting why auto parts stores don't have what we need to repair our cars.
What people should realize is that when something is being designed, you almost never make up 'hardware' on the fly, i.e. nuts, bolts, bearings, o-rings, etc, etc. These are all standardized parts (modern CAD software have "libraries" that you can select from*) and you will either use a standard part, maybe that means drilling / tapping a little deeper, if possible, or modify the part this hardware fits on. If you have a cylindrical part that has a bearing or bearings, you increase or decrease the diameter to match the req'd specs of an existing bearing. This means you order off-the-shelf parts from SKF, NTN, etc. That same bearing may already be used on other parts you make too.110 MM length is not a common size. Many metric bolt manufacturers stop at 100mm long.
I think I’ve seen those libraries in AutoCAD and SolidWorks. Most automotive CAD is done in SolidWorks and Autodesk’s AutoCAD/Fusion/Inventor but the high-level CAD is done in CATIA, owned by Dassault Systemes who also owns SolidWorks. CATIA of course, being the main CAD platform at Airbus and Boeing - the mismatch between versions of it being famous for delaying the A380.What people should realize is that when something is being designed, you almost never make up 'hardware' on the fly, i.e. nuts, bolts, bearings, o-rings, etc, etc. These are all standardized parts (modern CAD software have "libraries" that you can select from*) and you will either use a standard part, maybe that means drilling / tapping a little deeper, if possible, or modify the part this hardware fits on.
* When I refer to selecting from parts in a library, you can design a shaft and in assembly mode in the software, tell it you need to add a bearing. You tell it where it goes and the software will actually match up standard bearings that fit or are close to fitting. Companies can modify these libraries to include only their own standard, stocked parts too.
I've been out of the game for a few years but I don't think Inventor or Solidworks are capable enough (I was a pretty competent Inventor user so I'm not knocking it). Suppliers that produce/supply parts that the big automakers buy very well may be using those software packages though. CATIA and UG are what they (GM, Ford, etc) use, to my understanding. In fact, I seem to recall that either GM or Ford (leaning towards GM) drove the development of a CAD package that they used in-house originally and later sold off and became CATIA, UG, or some other.Most automotive CAD is done in SolidWorks and Autodesk’s AutoCAD/Fusion/Inventor but the high-level CAD is done in CATIA, owned by Dassault Systemes who also owns SolidWorks.
I was a designer at one of the biggest (chemical) pump manufacturers and we were ahead of that game for decades actually. When I referred to bearings and o-rings above, we had very common shaft designs, at least on the "power end". It was a proven, reliable design and we did not change it. On the impeller/sealing end, we had to make variations there though.and the OEMs wanting to consolidate and simply their platforms and bill of materials, there will be more commonality of major components which helps bring down the cost of goods sold.
I am aware of mcmaster carr. I work in a machine shop and we order from them but when I need something today I guess ACE is the placeAll u have to do is go to mcmaster carr (Google it) they carry just about every fastener known to man, including those goofy VW triple square head bolts. You already know the size just choose the material and grade you need. I had to order 12 rear cv axle flange bolts found them in grade 12.9 and had them delivered in 48 hours. Simple easy and cheaper anybody else including shipping. Plusat least the ones i got where US made with certifications not the crummy chinese junk that most places carry, since fastener failure would be catastophic especially at speed. Look them up you'll be amazed at what they carry.
Just go to the dealer? We have most hardware in stock because 90% of the fasteners on BMW are torque to yield, single use. Even changing the air filter in a new M2 Comp, or M3/M4 requires about $200 in fasteners.
Problem is the dealer's prices. For the Honda bolts for the rear lower control arm they want $21 each. Even the Honda parts guy said to try and get them somewhere else. I know they gotta stock them etc, but paying over $120 for 6 bolts when I only paid $100 with shipping for both control arms, I don't think so. My car isn't going to Barret Jackson anytime soon.
I bought a bunch of nuts, bolts and washers and extras just In case and it cost me $53.
Find an online dealer that sells for less.
Lowes has the same fasteners section.Go to the "Specialty Fasteners" section of Home Depot. They could well have it.
It just doesn't make sense from an economic sense for them (or their suppliers actually) to stock what are effectively, and rightly so, almost "dealer only parts". A particular fastener may only be used on one vehicle model for a component that rarely needs replaced.You would think rockauto would offer tons of different sized fasteners, but it doesn't appear to be the case.
My daughters BMW bolt broke that holds the bracket for her tensioner pulley.
OMG a nightmare getting the bracket off to remove the bolt. Its the entire oil filter housing bracket.
M8 bolt 110 mm long(4 1/8 )
Advanced or napa did not have it. Couldn't even offer to get one.
This is a grade 8.8 bolt, I guess this is a standard metric grade.
I ended up getting two at ACE that was a bit longer and will be cutting 1/4 off it so it wont bottom out.
Just venting why auto parts stores don't have what we need to repair our cars.