I was wondering everyone's go to supplier, for misc. hardware. I am trying to assemble my pan, and I'm looking for all of the bolts/parts to assemble the rear trailing arms suspension, including stub axles, bearings, torsions, spring plates. Also, other hardware, like the Pedal assembly, master cylinder, front beam bolts/washers.
I currently have a complete beam, narrowed trailing arms, and f+r empi disc brake kits. I need everything else to complete
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Most just reuse the bolts from the VW donor car. That way you get the right strength bolts for the application. You can get them media tumbled and cleaned so they look new. For front beam - but the castor shims and longer bolts. Find a VW guy and buy them used?
Thanks for the response. @WOLFGANG Unfortunately, I dont have a Donor car. I purchased the Modified pan, and all of the components new, so I have no idea, what I'm looking for..
My local hardware store has a good selection of metric hardware. I have also used boltdepot.com & mcmaster.com.
I used mostly stainless hardware where strength wasn't an issue. If you do that be sure to use anti-seize stuff. Otherwise, they can seize up. I ignored the warning in the hardware store and had great difficulty removing some in awkward places.
The best source of hardware I've found for automotive applications is BelMetric.
I'm in the process of restoring a 1969 Ducati and all the hardware is basically one step finer* than typical modern hardware. So far, they've had everything I needed.
* By that I mean whereas the local Ace will have, say, 8mm bolts in 1.25and 1.50 threads, the Ducati will need a 1.0.
How did you guys determine what bolts were required for the given location? Grade, length, pitch?
Eric: For all those specific metric bolts you can get them Jack at Bug Stuff in PA , 724 786 7000 Tues - Fri 8 - 5 EST . he is the go to guy for both used and new hardware and parts, knowledgeable and helpful. I have been buying from Jack for over 25 years including parts, axle beams, motors & transmissions. The misc. 8 x 1.25 ...6 x 1.50 etc metric get from ACE Hdw. https://www.bugstuffonline.com/
@Eric N posted:How did you guys determine what bolts were required for the given location? Grade, length, pitch?
That's a big old can of worms.
long answer:
Short answer:
Grade 8 fine pitch for anything load bearing, SS for anything else. Every size nut/bolt will have a course and fine thread variant. I tend to use the finest pitch I can for everything, probably not necessary, but it's what I do. *
Someone will probably weigh in, there are some things that may be grade 10 (the bolts that hold the beam to the pan, for instance) but I don't know. That's where the donor car comes in handy as Wolfgang suggested.
*My philosophy is use the best there is. 50¢/bolt makes a difference if you're producing 1,000 of something for resale. Not so much on my one Spyder. Which is probably why I've spent $1,000< at Ace Hardware over the last two years.
Many available on the SAMBA - but postage is a killer. Maybe email one of sellers and ask for a package deal to fill up a fixed rate USPS priorit package?
As mentioned above, McMaster-Carr is good if you know what you need. Also, Wolfsburg West has some hardware and fasteners. They also have really good parts breakdowns on their website.
https://www.wolfsburgwest.com/
Btw, you should know that you have to start a build thread and let us enjoy the progress.
@dlearl476 posted:That's a big old can of worms.
long answer:
That made me snort coffee on my keyboard! You know they're up to the 31st edition now?!?!
Www.Fastenal.com is a good source, but they often want to sell only in box quantities.
