Does anyone have this sway bar end link problem?

[Ben]

I got rancho lifted half year ago, about 3 months ago, found my passenger side sway bar end link top bolt was missing, so I went to the homedepot and grabbed some M12 bolt and nuts put it back, and it keep missing / snapping after few weeks driving, this was third one I put it on, and I only snug the nut and give it little more torque. I don't know what's causing that, I do right cornering 60 k/m at most but not very offen, could it be weather too cold or parking? (sometimes i have to park partial on the snowbank, too much flex/stretch?) Any help would be great

 

[woodwardsh3]

You need to buy better bolts Like grade 8 . Home depo bolts are not automotive grade. And most likely come from china. If you can't find better bolts, buy 1 from the GM dealer and be done with it.

 

[4speedfunk]

McMaster-Carr. Google it.

 

[08H3]

You need to buy better bolts Like grade 8 . Home depo bolts are not automotive grade. And most likely come from china. If you can't find better bolts, buy 1 from the GM dealer and be done with it.

Not sure that I agree with that statement. I really don't think there is a great fastener conspiracy at Home Depot. They are like any other vendor. Buy a grade 8 bolt, you should get a grade 8 bolt. Buy a grade 5, get a grade 5 and so on. And as far as them being Chinese? Well, I haven't bought a US made bolt at Fastenal for years either.

I do agree that you should make sure you are getting the right class though. I can't remember if those are 8.8 or 10.9.

 

[digglesworth]

you could always get some clevis pins and a couple hitch pins and make your own disconnects.

 

[alrock]

I don't know if those bolts are replaceable, but bolts wear out. Some are meant to only be torqued once, others can handle a few uses. Reloader, Bigunit and I were discussing this recently and with the amount of times we've disassembled the front end of our trucks we're going to start replacing UCA pinch bolts, shock bolts, etc.

I didn't see a mention of putting any threadlocker (Loctite) on those threads. Start with blue Loctite and see if that helps. If you're putting on new bolts and things are still backing off I suspect you are not torqueing enough and/or you'd benefit from threadlocker.

 

[rascole]

McMaster-Carr. Google it.

Ahhhh, I love my McMaster-Carr. Awesome living 6 miles away from it.