Replacement Nuts/Bolts

[Grego 92]

Besides the dealership, is there anywhere to get replacement nuts/bolts? I stripped some off the exhaust front pipe and the others are so rusted out that I rather just replace them now.

I didn't check with napa or autozone type stores, you think they carry them? These particular nuts have slots cuts out which I imagine is because of the heat that they are subjected to...expansion I guess.

Thanks.

[Mike Gerber]

"These particular nuts have slots cuts out"

That's usually a form of a locking device on the fastener. If it's the type I am thinking of, that allows the cone top of the nut to flex inward and outward a bit. As the nut is tightened on the threaded stud or bolt it flexes back outward producing slight tension. This tension produces a locking feature that helps resist vibration, and hence keeps the fastener loosening and backing out.

As far as where to buy replacements, you could check any hardware or home improvement store, along with the auto parts stores. They now all carry metric fasteners. Just a word of caution. Be sure to get the same bolt or nut hardness that the original fastener came with. It will be marked on the head of most metric bolts. You will see grades like 8.8, 10.9, etc. Also, some of the fasteners used on our cars may be special and inherrent just to that particular application. Things like special head configurations or reduced head sizes when compared to standard fasteners. Those will have to be purchased at the dealership.

Mike