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I replaced my ball joint(what a nightmare) and had to unbolt multiple suspension parts. My question is, is it ok to use anti seize on all of the bolts and faces?
No definitely not! Any substance on the threads of bolts drastically changes the amount of load (stretch) you will get from a given amount of torque. You will over-stress the bolts if you torque them up and the threads are not clean and dry. If you don’t over-stress the fasteners, there is a chance that bolt or nut will oosen in-service due to vibrations. You are using a torque wrench set to the proper torque for each suspension fastener?
The only proper and safe way to install critical fasteners, like suspension bolts and nuts, is with a torque wrench set properly. The torque specs can be found in the shop manual for your car, and is probably accessible online. Fastener torque is designed to provide a certain clamping force without over-stressing the fastener or part and preventing the parts from loosening due to vibrations.
Oh shoot. I will take it apart and clean it with brake clean.
My other question is, what is the best way to buy replacement bolts for the bolts that Ive stripped? Its very confusing.
You should be able to buy all of the suspension bolts at the car dealership parts department. If you want to try to buy generic bolts that will work, you will need to measure the dimensions of the bolts (length, diameter and thread pitch) and try to find matching ones on-line or in a hardware store. For all modern cars these are metric measurements. Note that many OEM bolts have built-in washers and the ones you find from fastener stores will not, so you will need to find appropriate washers for under the bolt heads. Finally, you will need to match the grade of the bolt. Every fastener should have a number stamped on the head (like 8.8). This is the grade indicating how strong the bolt material is. You need to match this. In a pinch you should be alright exceeding the grade (like use a 9.8 in place of an 8.8), but that is not ideal because the higher strength bolts are also more brittle and may load up the joint a bit differently for the same torque spec.
And please do not even start the job until you have a torque wrench and the torque specs from the shop manual.
I see. Very cool info.
I understand that correct torque is important. But just how important are we talking here?
Very important. Too much torque and you can break or crack the fastener or the suspension component. Too little and the joint will not be clamped up sufficiently to resist all of the loading, or the bolt or nut may loosen up eventually from vibrations. Either way, the consequences can be a sudden failure while driving. A typical suspension fastener is there to provide enough clamping force to a joint so that the joint can not separate or slide. Please don’t try to do suspension work on a car without the torque specs and a good torque wrench. You will see what I mean when you see all of the torque specs in the shop manual, and see that almost every joint has different specs.
Dave
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