TheSamba.com :: View topic - Looking for Pinch Bolts for Link Pin front end

Wed Aug 19, 2015 6:51 pm

I can't find them at any hardware store Supposedly they are Hardened but my stock ones that are chewed up have an 8 on them.
Where can I find the CORRECT replacement M10x1.5x45 bolts?

Wed Aug 19, 2015 7:34 pm

Metric grade 8 is roughly equivalent to common SAE grade 5, hardened would be 10.9 or better...
https://sizes.com/tools/bolts_metric_standards.htm

You should be able to match them at a well stocked hardware store or a nut/bolt specialist...
https://www.boltdepot.com/Product-Details.aspx?product=6242

If you're looking for exact replacements as far as thread vs shoulder length with 17mm hex head with OEM maker's marks on their heads, you're probably best off searching out some good used ones from the classifieds.

Sat Aug 22, 2015 11:31 pm

Found this online:8G/8.8 is equivalent to a US grade 5 bolt,
and 10K/10.9 is equivalent to a US grade 8 bolt. 8.8/8G are the
"standard" metric bolts you can get at the hardware store

So my original(I assume)pinch bolts are marked 8G, so does that mean these bolts aren't actually hardened? What should I use 8.8 or 10.9?

Sun Aug 23, 2015 6:29 am

Grade 5 or 8.8 are hardened to a certain degree. They have less strength than a grade 8 or 10.9 but have more than a grade 2 or 5.8. In my opinion metric 8.8 will be fine for your application.

US Grade 2 = approx metric property class 5.8
US Grade 5 = approx metric property class 8.8
US Grade 8= approx metric property class 10.9

Sun Aug 23, 2015 2:07 pm

Never assume when it comes to safety. Look in your Bentley manual for front end bolt specs if you are not sure. VW only marked the bolts with their quality grade which is 8G, but their tensile class is actually 8.8.

Not going to do any harm by using 10.9K, but you may be spending more money for extra strength you don't need.

Tue Sep 01, 2015 2:22 pm

rrcade wrote: I can't find them at any hardware store Supposedly they are Hardened but my stock ones that are chewed up have an 8 on them.
Where can I find the CORRECT replacement M10x1.5x45 bolts?

Hi. Did you find the hardware you wanted? I'm here in Los Angeles. At a local hardware store here they have something you may be interested in.
Bolt- 10mm x 50mm, 1.50 pitch, 10.9 hardness, the shank is 21mm long, 17mm hex head, $1.10 each.
Nut- 17mm hex, .45 each.
Flat washers- .40 each.
Lock washers- .25 each
Country of origin can be anywhere as containers state many countries.

USPS has a small flat rate box. Ships anywhere for about $15.
Pay me $5 for my time.
Hope this helps, Bill.

Tue Sep 01, 2015 6:44 pm

Thanks, I found them at Fastenal 10.9 with correct shank and head