Suspension bolts

[Mike Scib]

Ordered new suspension bolts from Elise-Shop to fit my new dampers. The new bolts don't have the shoulder/shaft like the old ones.

Will these be ok or better off using the old ones with the shoulder?

Mike

[woody]

I wouldn't use them. They've been spec'd like that for a reaon. No doubt many do and don't have problems but I wouldn't. /former bolt fitter and now enforcer of correct bolt fitting.

[Mike Scib]

Great!

Cheers woody.

[Mikie711]

If it doesn't have a shoulder and is threaded over it's entire length then it isn't a bolt, it's a screw, and no, you shouldn't use it.

[Mike Scib]

Old



New

[Mikie711]

Yep, it's a screw, don't use it. Should be like for like swap out.

[Mike Scib]

Cheers, phone call to Elise-Shop on Monday!

[robin]

Just get the right bolts from Lotus - they'll probably have them in stock and I don't suppose they'll be that expensive (or ask our resident fastener experts at Grampian Fasteners!).

Cheers,
Robin

[Mike Scib]

Were only £10 or so from Elise Shop hence buying them, probably nothing wrong with the old ones tbh.

Will get them changed out today when I set up the ride heights.

Cheerd

[robin]

If the old ones slid out easily enough then you could re-use them - the risk you run with any of these suspension bolts is that they have cracks in them that will eventually cause the bolt to fail. If you had to hammer them out, I would replace them if possible.

Cheers,
Robin

[Mike Scib]

They slid out pretty easily, so will change them today for the old ones.

Pretty poor from Elise Shop IMO sending out a product that's not fit for purpose.

[robin]

I would always use the bolt specified by the manufacturer for suspension stuff and I think you're doing the right thing, but I don't actually know what the practical difference between using a bolt and a screw in this scenario would be - can anybody explain the issue?

Cheers,
Robin

[TarmacTerrorist]

Depends on the size and length of the bolt.

For example, a standard 10mm hex head will be a 'set screw' and will be fully thread upto 35mm long. At 40mm long they will start to use a shank unless you specify a set screw. It just how the industry std is unless you are buying bespoke bolts.

The oem damper bolts are pretty much a std 8.8 bolt with a shank. Put the bolt though the damper bracket without the damper in place and you will see the damper bushing still sits on a threaded section of the bolt.

I personally have only ever bought replacement bolts and fixing from lotus after recieving some really dodgy bolts that threaded themselves after one tightening off a well known uk supplier. Not worth the risk.

The ones you REALLY should buy from Lotus and not from a local stockist are the front and rear plinth cap head bolts that hold the upper wishbones to the uprights. They are made special to a 10.9 rating where as a normal cap head you would buy from any nut and bolt stockist will be 12.9

[Stephen]

Have a look here.
https://www.boltdepot.com/fastener-info ... chart.aspx
Personally I would use either lotus supplied items or those from an ironmonger (bolts being their thing). I would be more reluctant getting bolts from an after market go faster supplier.
I would have a concern re the threads wearing against the bush/ bracket than with a shank wearing, being flat and smooth.

[robin]

Surely the bolt shouldn't be fretting against the inside of the bush once tightened?