Control arm bolts front & rear

[L05edSS]

Been wanting to do this post for you guys out there looking to restore or replace stock control arms. All below fit and a few were a little long according to my mechanic, not that it matters but this was done in conjunction with coilovers. this dosen't apply to any S10 parts.

rear control arm bolts 8)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11502603.html
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=6776

rear control arm nuts (8)
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=8806

front lower control arm bolts, rear position (2)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11502603.html
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=6776

front lower control arm nuts, rear position (2)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11516073.html#details
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=8806

front lower control arm bolts, front position (2)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11500952.html
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=6778

front lower control arm nuts, front position (2)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11516073.html#details
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=8806

front upper control arm bolts, bolt to frame (4)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/00461854.html
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=6773
or (oem says size is m12x1.75x66 (i went longer))
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=6772

front upper control arm nuts, to frame (4)
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/11516073.html#details
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=8806

washers need for anything above
oem #s & measurements
http://oemcats.com/oem-parts/473539.html
bolt depot version
https://boltdepot.com/Product-Details?product=7744

 

[mikester]

I used all new bolts from belmetric.com
Bolt depot was a little higher in price for just about all of them but thanks for posting all the sizes

 

[L05edSS]

I used all new bolts from belmetric.com
Bolt depot was a little higher in price for just about all of them but thanks for posting all the sizes

that's cool. thanks for remindig me i should have put in a disclaimer of i'm not a cork soaker for bolt depot. the whole thing cost like $62ish shipped as with some extras of each size. glad you brought another link so not limited to just 1 place. if any dont understand "cork soaker" its a play on the ears..

 

[69hurstolds]

Great list.

Here's another fastener place that can help. Moreso if you have an '81 and back since they love SAE, but have some metrics, too. Got to get them in small bulks though, only drawback. But they have good stuff and in different finishes.

Bulk & Wholesale Auto Fasteners & Parts - AMK Products, Inc.

Shop bulk & wholesale auto fasteners, bolts, screws, nuts, washers, studs, retainers, clips & other automotive parts. 80% of our parts are made in the US!

www.amkproducts.com

It really comes down to what you're trying to achieve. Whether just replacing a bolt for service or, say, a restoration.

One of the two main differences you will find between factory/GM bolts vs. aftermarket is that MOST suspension GM bolts have a tapered nose, which aided in fast assembly at the factory. Many aftermarket bolts lack this feature. Aftermarket also loves to provide just a few finishes, mainly bright silver or yellow zinc coatings, which does make the fasteners pretty, but GM was pretty much using the oil/phosphate finishes which weren't always pleasing to the eye.

I guess the other unspoken main difference is comes down to price. GM is, and has always been, pretty proud of their junk when it comes to fasteners. Like charging $14+ list price for steering gear bolts. EACH. And this was back in the 90s!!! Plus, they can come in a variety of piece counts. Sometimes it makes sense. Buying SSII/III wheel stainless lug nuts? 5 per box. Ok. Give me 4 boxes. But sometimes you have to buy stuff like transmission pan bolts by the piece. And sometimes, you can get some 10mm nuts in a box of 10 or 100. But oh, buying a single cross-shaft retaining pin for your rear gear set? Oh, that's in a box of 20. WTF? So that's how I ended up with 40 cross-shaft bolts when I thought I was ordering 2. I guess they know they break often. 🙂 It varies. I think they hired the guy that came up with the ratio of hot dogs and hot dog buns you buy in the grocery store.

This is nothing against the aftermarket bolts as they're fine to use as well as long as they match the same strength as the bolt they're replacing. They just don't always look like originals. So it really comes down to which you prefer, availability, and what you're willing to pay.

 

[mikester]

that's cool. thanks for remindig me i should have put in a disclaimer of i'm not a cork soaker for bolt depot. the whole thing cost like $62ish shipped as with some extras of each size. glad you brought another link so not limited to just 1 place. if any dont understand "cork soaker" its a play on the ears..

I had a really hard time finding grade 10.9 hardware in my area. I dont remember who told me about belmetric but once I bought from them I started ordering from them all the time. They ship the same day so I usually get the stuff in two days. All the hardware for my wagon came from them. Some of the bolts on my coupe came from the local John Deere dealership but they were VERY expensive.

 

[383_StealthRam]

Great post and info!!

Personally I've always been a stickler for flange head bolts when replacing any OEM ones with same. Not all original are flange head of course but if they had them originally and you can find suitable replacements I'm always willing to pay that little extra instead of just using flat washers with std cap screws.

The other thing too is the OEM flat washers on stuff that isn't a flange head. Like steering box through bolts to frame. They always seem to be much thicker, sturdier and stronger than the ones you can find in hardware stores.

 

[69hurstolds]

The other thing too is the OEM flat washers on stuff that isn't a flange head. Like steering box through bolts to frame. They always seem to be much thicker, sturdier and stronger than the ones you can find in hardware stores.

Note that those steering box frame bolt washers are what I call stop sign washers. Since they could be on an inside curve of the frame, so they made them with hacked off edges so they resemble a stop sign and won't keep from fully seating the bolt head on the frame.