Front Suspension Bolts

[Mike J]

Ok, I'm a jacka$$, I tore the front end of my '68 completely down to the crossmember a few months ago, and am getting ready to start the rebuild FINALLY. Have all new parts BUT, here's the problem, I accidentally dumped all of my nuts and bolts in the floor/kicked 'em around etc. - This is my first Chevy, and first American vehicle, so I'm not too keen on what goes where and what to look for at the hardware store. I want to replace ALL hardware- does someone make a kit for this? or does anyone have a list or diagram or what goes where? Its a 68 6cyl. 1/2 ton fleet with manual steering. Doing drop spindles/disks and power brakes as well. any and all help is appreciated. I live an hour from my the truck and my tools now, so I'm trying to get a gameplan together to get this project rolling again. thanks guys!!!

[jdcole]

http://www.lmctruck.com/icatalog/cb/full.aspx?Page=140

[tinkerdad]

#8 in the diagram will not fit if you buy it from LMC. You can get it from a Chevy dealership.

[Mike J]

Thanks guys! Didnt even think about using the LMC catalog! dub!

[jdcole]

Always a good reference but don't take it as gospel. I still cant get my column back together using it.

[my67c20]

Like you everything went in a bucket. When i tore it down i intended to replace all the bolts for the front end, crossmember, motor mounts. To date i have bought about $100 worth of grade 8 bolts from the hardware store. What i found was that most of the stuff was 3/8 or 1/2. What i did was went to the store bought myself a few of the cheapest bolts, washers and nuts in 3" & 2" length. Make sure they are fully threaded. Then as i started to put stuff together i would bolt it together with the cheap stuff to get a length that made sense. Measured that wrote it down and went to the hardware store. Prefit the flat and lock washers, I found that if you went one size smaller they fit better. Make sure to use grade 8 stuff and torque them down. You can go on line and find torque specs for all the sizes and grades. Most important is to take your time and get the right size so it looks good when done.

[unclewatts]

Originally Posted by my67c20

Like you everything went in a bucket. When i tore it down i intended to replace all the bolts for the front end, crossmember, motor mounts. To date i have bought about $100 worth of grade 8 bolts from the hardware store. What i found was that most of the stuff was 3/8 or 1/2. What i did was went to the store bought myself a few of the cheapest bolts, washers and nuts in 3" & 2" length. Make sure they are fully threaded. Then as i started to put stuff together i would bolt it together with the cheap stuff to get a length that made sense. Measured that wrote it down and went to the hardware store. Prefit the flat and lock washers, I found that if you went one size smaller they fit better. Make sure to use grade 8 stuff and torque them down. You can go on line and find torque specs for all the sizes and grades. Most important is to take your time and get the right size so it looks good when done.

Yea, I concur with My67c20. It's best to use high quality hardware as you sure don't want anything breaking while you're going down the road.

[Tx Firefighter]

I use a ton of new grade 8 hardware on all of my builds. You can buy all your grade 8 hardware at your local Tractor Supply for 3.99 a pound in bulk. You can buy a whole lots of grade 8 nuts, bolts, and washers for 20 bucks.

[Mike J]

yeah, I definitely plan on using grade 8 for sure. and there's a Tractor Supply where I live now so that's probably what I'll do. Probably would be really expensive buying each bolt at Lowe's or something! Thanks again guys!!!

[lks dcvn]

agree with the TSC purchase - I am now on a first name basis with the cashier at my local store -

[Mike J]

well, i got passenger front corner almost totally done tonight after work- and man i'm beat! gonna tackle the other side tomorrow, wish me luck!

[Mike J]

I finally made some real progress this weekend!!!