What would you reuse???

[Bill Dangora]

I'm replacing my front steering knuckles and the the 3 bolts that keep this assembly together are pretty hefty (5/8"-18 x 15/16" & 1/2"-18 x 2-5/8" & 1/2-18 x 2-7/16").

It seems that these wouldn't stretch like smaller diameter bolts and would be reuseable. Should i reuse these or just replace them strictly from a relaibility, safety point of view (for a driver).

Thanks,
Bill

[Gerry Proctor]

Re: What would you reuse???

If a bolt is tightened, it will stretch. If it doesn't, it is guaranteed to come loose. What you're interested in here is "Did the bolt reach it's yield point?" In your case, the answer would be NO. Once a fastner reaches yield, it is permanently stretched. I can't think of a single fastner on a Corvette that calls for a torque to yield value. Most fastners don't get to within 80-percent or so of this value. So unless the bolt is compromised in some other way...corrosion, gouged, heated with a gas axe, then it should be suitable for re-use.

[Bill Dangora]

Re: What would you reuse???

Thanks, Gerry.
the information is greatly appreciated.
Bill

[Ted L.]

Re: What would you reuse???

Bill,

Generally, I reuse everything I can. My thinking is, each component of the car will be judged on originality and condition. If the part can be determined to be not original, judges will deduct 100% of the originally points. If it is original, it will be judged for condition and this could be a partial deduction based upon your skill to make it appear new. In most cases, originally points and condition points are equal so it make sense to restore where you can.

I've got a basket full of repro parts that I regret buying because I learned too late that I could (with a little effort) restore the original.

Ted #32350

[Duke W.]

Re: What would you reuse???

Gerry gave an excellent answer. I'm aware of some engines that call for torquing the engine head bolts beyond the yield point, and once bolts have exceeded a specified length they should be replaced, but there are no such bolts on a Corvette that I am aware of. Even the engine connecting rod bolts can be reused, but it is common to replace them with higher strength bolts.

Unless a Corvette fastener is obviously damaged, severely corroded, or has been significantly overtorqued , they can be reused with confidence.

Torquing a bolt to specification gives a design "clamping load", and this will stress the bolt to somewhere within its elastic range. The bolt may see addition stress in service due to dynamic loading, but this additional load should never exceed the bolts yield stress if the system is properly designed.

Duke