"Rounded-off" bolts

[canis]

Well, I'm really struggling with the rear suspension. I don't think any of these bolts have been undone since they were first tightened when the car was built. Testament to Volvo parts, but I'm having to cut these bushes out because they just won't budge.

Meanwhile, I've had the rear calipers off and back on that many times that the bolts are too rounded to shift, and I've had to resort to cutting two of these off as well. So now I'm short.

Thing is, I can't be the only one who experiences this problem, yet it's never spoken about. There is a hardware shop near to me, selling all manner of bolts and nuts, but nothing automotive. Where does one go to buy a bolt?

I mean, I've bought new calipers in the past - and fitted them with the crappy old bolts I took out because they don't supply new bolts. This must be a problem forever facing anybody with an older car - what is their solution?

Somebody help!! I need bolts!!

[ITSv40]

Whenever I remove a caliper or the caliper mounting bracket I fit new bolts. Get them from Volvo and keep a couple spare on the shelf - It is just part of my routine.

[canis]

How do you obtain them? Do you go into the parts department and say "I'd like to buy some bolts?" Do they sell them that way? Are they expensive?

[cheshired5]

Compared to buying a bag of bolts from a fixings place, Volvo bolts are ridiculously expensive per unit but in the grand scheme, not that bad.
I would imagine £10-15 will see you right from a main dealer.
You just speak to a parts department and they'll find what you need.

[Simmy]

Originally Posted by canis

Well, I'm really struggling with the rear suspension. I don't think any of these bolts have been undone since they were first tightened when the car was built. Testament to Volvo parts, but I'm having to cut these bushes out because they just won't budge.

Meanwhile, I've had the rear calipers off and back on that many times that the bolts are too rounded to shift, and I've had to resort to cutting two of these off as well. So now I'm short.

Thing is, I can't be the only one who experiences this problem, yet it's never spoken about. There is a hardware shop near to me, selling all manner of bolts and nuts, but nothing automotive. Where does one go to buy a bolt?

I mean, I've bought new calipers in the past - and fitted them with the crappy old bolts I took out because they don't supply new bolts. This must be a problem forever facing anybody with an older car - what is their solution?

Somebody help!! I need bolts!!

You could try Ashton Bolt & Nut, unit 7 Wellington Centre, Whitelands Road, Ashton -u-Lyne OL6 6UY. 0161 343 3028

[ITSv40]

Originally Posted by canis

How do you obtain them? Do you go into the parts department and say "I'd like to buy some bolts?" Do they sell them that way? Are they expensive?

Yes, they are quite happy to sell individual bolts even nuts and washers separately. When I rebuilt the rear suspension on the V40 most of the nuts and bolts needed angle grinding off, so just ordered a complete set bolts nuts washers etc.

Same with caliper bolts,go in and buy a set of four or so and you end up with the correct bolt with the loctite already pre-applied, correct tensile strength and correct length and thread.

[druid]

I ordered my front carrier bolts of ebay

[magnuz]

I often find that using 6 point hexagonal sockets, (such as impact sockets) are less likely to round the bolts( & nuts) than a conventional 12 point sockets / spanners !

If you know the size... you may be able to get the bolts from somwhere like this ...http://www.namrick.co.uk/acatalog/Ho..._Bolts_29.html

[canis]

Thanks guys.

[960kg]

Sometimes i wonder how unsafe the DIY mechanic is?

When i had my `98 T4 and replaced pads i always took off the caliper to clean all the hard muck off i always had new bolts as they are "stretch" type and do have blue Locktite already on the threads. They are only supposed to be used once and torqued to the correct amount.

I always ever bought from Volvo as the aftermarket places only lead to bad practices. OK so a new plastic headlight can be aftermarket but not items on the car that demean it`s safety especially with the family on board.....