Suspension bolts

[JimT]

i could use some help finding suspension bolts for my 2003 TJ. I have spent the last couple months remediating rust. Why on earth would I not expect to snap or have to cut off just over half of the bolts that I touched today. So much for weeks of regular PB Blaster in preparation for this now badly stalled lift. I am aware of a kit for the JK that has grade 8 bolts for the entire suspension. If there is something like that available for the TJ it would at least give me some piece of mind that after I spend an hour per bolt to remove, I would have an option to use a new replacement if needed.

 

[Chris]

Have you tried your local ACE Hardware by chance? I replaced numerous suspension bolts with matching bolts I found at ACE. They have a massive hardware selection

 

[JimT]

The front lower control arm bolts have washers and bolts that are excentric with a slotted frame mounting hole. I am concerned that concentric washers that don't lock into the slots will introduce slop and DW into the suspension. A similar bolt is easy if it works. The correct bolt may work better.

 

[mrblaine]

The front lower control arm bolts have washers and bolts that are excentric with a slotted frame mounting hole. I am concerned that concentric washers that don't lock into the slots will introduce slop and DW into the suspension. A similar bolt is easy if it works. The correct bolt may work better.

The slot in the horseshoe for the cam washer isn't what stops the joint from moving. The clamping force does. You can run without the big washer with a flange head bolt and as long as you center it in the slot when you torque it down, it will work forever as long as it stays tight.

Also, unless someone added them, they were not eccentric from the factory. They quit using the eccentric washers in around 98 or so. The horseshoe is there to help adjust the cam bolts when they exist so the washer has something to turn against.

 

[JimT]

Thank you. That makes sense.