Leaf Spring Bolt concern
#1
Leaf Spring Bolt concern
I have been looking for some info on the front bolt that is used for the rear leaf spring. A few months back, I replaced the rear springs on my truck and replaced these bolts with hardened zinc plated bolts from the hardware store. After reading about bolt grades and hardness, I am wondering if the bolts that I used are strong enough. It seems as if the majority of the shackle kits on the market use hardened zinc plated bolts. So this makes me believe I will be fine. Any knowledge on this topic would be appreciated.
#2
You made me curious so I looked at all the bolts I could look at. Some of them are very hard to find grade markings on anymore but they all appear to be grade 5 bolts. I suspected this would be the case. Bolts you got at the hardware store are likely grade 2 or grade 5. What grade did you use?
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#8
Originally Posted by winginit
I disagree . The steel is not as strong as it once was.
#11
Sorry to cause any anger over my concern. The bolts that I installed were grade 8 zinc plated hardened bolts. The reason I brought this up was because I read that some bolts are 10.9 grade and if I should have used those. But if it was a grade 5 before, the new grade 8's will work fine. Thank you for the replies.
#12
And fyi, over 88% of steel today is recycled. So yes, steel today is a mixture of different manufacturers thus giving us weaker steel. Not all countries share the same regulations which is the reason American made steel is stronger than Chinese made steel. I read that there are "laws" that required fasteners be made of non recycled metals. As for grading, there is a load of info on the web about it but I can't find anything about changes in history of grading.
#14