TheSamba.com :: View topic

Tue Mar 09, 2010 10:46 am

Is anyone aware of where I can find a list of the bolts and nuts that are required to put a 55 back together. Every nut and bolt from fenders to chassis bolts. Thank you.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:07 am

Damn that sucks.. Well if I were you Id take my time and concentrate on a section at a time.. theres a thread on here in the Oval forum about hardware..well OG hardware..if your looking for bolt kits..theres some available at Wolfsburg West... I mean like pan hardware, and various replacement hardware..They have an online catalog..

Heres the list of makes of bolts...this thread was in the Split Forum..but it will help you get familiar with what your looking for..once again if you want OG parts..
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=400955&highlight=kamax

Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:28 pm

Airkewld also has a bolt kit. Might check into that and see if it is what you are looking for.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 4:34 pm

I bought stainless steel set, totally complete, not cheap but I dont need them.

PM me if you need them

Tue Mar 09, 2010 5:56 pm

FYI,
Be aware of the grade hardware you purchase. everything on a bug should be 8.8 or above. Most are 8.8. If you get a lower grade, you may experience catastrophic results. 8.8 roughly corresponds with a ASME grade 5 for US hardware.

Also, make sure the nuts you mate with the bolts are of a similar grade or a higher grade. A good bolt will fail to do its job with a cheap nut. Shall I also mention quality washers???
Outfits such as Fastenal are a good source of quality hardware. They will sell to walkins unlike Grainger.

There is a lot of Cheap (not price, quality) hardware out there. Shop smart.

If a head doesn't have a grade marking, do NOT use it.

The science and fasteners is fascinating. Educate yourself.

Dave

Tue Mar 09, 2010 6:24 pm

http://www.totallystainless.com/

Tue Mar 09, 2010 8:48 pm

i was in the same situation, bought a totaly stainless kit from pete at airkewld not very complete chassis wise.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 9:05 pm

My first thought is if it were me I'd just get a wrecked 55. That way you have almost every correct nut and bolt sitting right where it belongs on your car. I bet if you had to buy all the nuts and bolts it would cost you more than a totalled bug, especially if you went the stainless route.

Tue Mar 09, 2010 11:47 pm

i used stainless through out the whole car the only places i used grade 8's were things like front beam to pan,and other suspension bits.
things like fenders decklid ect can all be stainless no problems

Wed Mar 10, 2010 4:29 am

Russ wrote: i used stainless through out the whole car the only places i used grade 8's were things like front beam to pan,and other suspension bits.
things like fenders decklid ect can all be stainless no problems

Smart man!!!

Stainless does NOT have the strength needed for critical safety point fastening.
Actually stainless has some properties unique to it alone but as a rule are NOT strong enough to meet ASME specs for many many uses.
Stainless cannot be tempered as steel can be to change it's molecular structure thus hardening them.

Dave

Thu Mar 11, 2010 2:38 am

X2 Dave. Stainless fixers shouldnt be used on anything that requires structure/strength. Vibrations may crack and fatigue the stainless steel metal. And boy can these bugs vibrate compared to modern cars!

Thu Mar 11, 2010 8:17 am

We plan on releasing a Stainless Chassis Kit before the Classic. Here is a lost of kits that we offer and whats comes with them. http://store.airkewld.com/e-shop-online/accessories/exterior-accessories/stainless-fastener-kits

Thu Mar 11, 2010 12:24 pm

Hey Pete, do you have that same kit with hex head bolts? Also, your stainless steel brake line kit looks sweet; is that new? Will that kit accomidate a 55 bug? Thanks.

Thu Mar 11, 2010 1:09 pm

slipknot01 wrote: Hey Pete, do you have that same kit with hex head bolts? Also, your stainless steel brake line kit looks sweet; is that new? Will that kit accomidate a 55 bug? Thanks.

We can special order them if you would like them that way and yes we cam out with the stainless brake lines complete with stainless fittings in January

http://airkewld.com/galleries/detail/177.html

Thu Mar 11, 2010 9:53 pm

Nice. What looks better the hex head or the button allen head screws?

Fri Mar 12, 2010 1:14 am

slipknot01 wrote: Nice. What looks better the hex head or the button allen head screws?

personnel opinion button head allen bolts
with that said it is all personnel preference