Front end bolting

[FFR2854]

Anybody reuse front control arm mounting bolts after they have been torqued a few times or accidentally over-tightened about 20%? If replacing….did you use grade 5 or grade 8?

Had my head up my butt and tightened them enough that I started thinking about bolt stretch.

Thanks

[Jeff Kleiner]

If you’re talking about the bolts for the lower control arms they are a Ford specific flange head 16mm that uses a deformed nut. You won’t find them in the local hardware store…you’ll have to go to the dealer or better yet get them from Mark at Breeze.

Heff

[rich grsc]

If you tighten them to the point you broke them, then I'd consider replacing them.

[michael everson]

If it was my car, I wouldn't worry about it. They are incredibly large bolts for what they do.
Mike

[Derald Rice]

The mounting ears on the frame will bend before the bolt stretches.

Deformed nuts and flanged bolts are readily available at McMaster Carr.

[Norm B]

I’d be more worried about the bushings in your control arms and the mounting tabs than the bolts. Those bolts are probably strong enough to crush the other components before suffering any damage.