(say that three times fast!)

Ack! Doing my bushings tomorrow, and I forgot to buy the replacement stretch bolts for the bushing brackets. Are these a OEM-only item? Can I buy them at an auto parts store, or even home depot? Anyone know what the bolt spec is?

 

Just re-use the ones that are there, unless they are damaged.

 

Oh ok- I read that they had to be replaced. But you would know better than I. Thanks.

 

I have also heard the bolt needs to be replaced. If this bolt is damaged when I take it out, what bolt will I need to replace it. Is it something I will find at Home Depot or do I need to order this?

 

I heard it was some sort of special stretch bolt. Before I asked on NAM, I did call the mini dealer, and they didn't stock them. But mine weren't damaged and I reinstalled them just fine.

 

Hi Guys I am trying to find out if anyone can tell me about the Alta lower arm bushings. installation and tire ware out. I am and need of this like there no tomorrow but there are two or three kind on line. and I would like to hear from you who's been there before. thank you

 

The original question is a good one. As a Mechanical Engineer with a machine design background I will try to add to answer. The torque spec for the bolts is 44 ft-lb + then 90 degrees. The additional 90 degrees adds some stretch to the bolts. As a matter of fact all bolts stretch to some degree. Steel has a characteristic called strain. Strain is in effect a spring rate for that material. The idea of torquing is to add enough stretch so the force generated by the spring rate clamps the parts together to hold them together while in service. That being said the 44 ft-lb + 90 degrees is to make sure the clamping force of the bolt is sufficient. Yes the bolt will stretch. When a bolt is stretched too far the stress in the bolt exceeds the yield strength of the bolt, and the stretch becomes permanent. At that point it is trash. To summarize it is very unlikely that the spec would stretch the bolt past its yield point and weaken it and risk it breaking under service. The likely hood is that the bolt is stretched near the yield stress, but not past it. If it has not been taken past the yield point it will come back to its original length, and be fine to reuse.

 

That is an excellent response MiniMacster and support you. I redid my bushings last week and I reused the old bolts. However, the correct procedure is to replace the bolts and they are a dealer item. I believe a lot of people (and shops including the dealer) reuse the old bolts because most dealers do not stock them and need to move the car out of the shop and get paid rather than wait for the part to come in.