A arm bolts

[85GPLef41]

I recently took my front end apart. The control arm bolts came off pretty easily except for one.It had rusted out a bit so I decided to replace them with new ones. The bolts have a slight taper to them near the head if i can describe it correctly.... 😀 anyways should i stick with the factory bolts? I called the dealer and they said they only have the the ones that are towards the rear of the a-arm. Or vice a versa cannot remember Either way are they required or can i use regular bolts 10.9 bolts? If i got them from the dealer i still would have to find the other ones. The parts guy said it also has bushings but i don't recall them being there when i took my suspension apart. Anybody??

 

[FE3X CLONE]

I don't have the part numbers off hand but you can use the bolts from a 3rd Gen F-body. They are still available through GM and are the same as the G-body bolts.

*EDIT*- I just checked an old order I placed at www.gmpartsdirect.com back in April of 2006. I found these 3 part numbers that believe are what your looking for.

BOLT #11500952
BOLT #11502603
NUT #11516073

However it looks like the first bolt in that list may not be available anymore so you may be right.
A grade 10.9 bolt from the hardware store should be enough to hold things together. Just make sure to get the same size bolt.

 

[85GPLef41]

Thanks! So does the taper matter? if not i could probably come up with some bolts that would work. Seems to me it's there for a reason but just need reassurance by some body who has used "aftermarket bolts".. :wink: Whats with the bushings the parts guy told me about?? Maybe i will see if they have a parts schematic they can show me.

 

[Longroof79]

I've used aftermarket bolts and locknuts that I bought from Pep Boys when I rebuilt the front end on my car. I don't recall the actual size, but they were metric, and were a 10.8 equal to an SAE grade hardness. I think they might have been slightly longer than the OEM bolts, but worked never the less.
They've been in my car for at least 10 yrs now with no problems. I noticed that Pep Boys no longer keeps a good selection of nut, bolts, and washers. If you can find the OEM bolts readily, go with them...if not, go with good aftermarket hardware.

 

[Bonnewagon]

I used Pontiac V-8 head bolts, grade 8. Perfect length and size.

 

[Blake442]

When I had my control arms off, there was one bolt that didn't want to play along, and I had to cut it out.

I couldn't find a matching replacement, so I ended up using a left over motor mount thru-bolt.
It was the correct size, 10.9, and was only a 1/4 inch longer than the correct bolts. It even had the same markings on the head of the bolt.

 

[85GPLef41]

Thanks i think i have a few of those in my bolt box. I was thinking they had to be all special for the arms..Thanks again for all the ideas guys. :lol: