On the front suspension, I would NEVER USE A GRADE 5 BOLT!
If the OEM Nissan item is still available, I'd use it first.
Second I would look for the proper fastener.
The proper bolt to use is a very high grade fastener! It is
one application that I would recommend using a AN7 bolt.
AN as in "Army-Navy". I do not recall the proper length bolt,
but it is an AN7-xx.
AN7 is a 7/16 - 20 tpi. There will be approximately 3/4" of
a threaded portion on the bolt. I would apply a SECOND NUT
behind the threaded plate. Added advantage is you can also
get the AN bolts with drilled bolt heads, so you can put some
safety wire to use.
An Aviation shop should be able to get the bolts (you'll need
four). Pay the price, and rest assured you have some decent
hardware on the front end.
There is a LOT OF TRASH bolts out there. Personally I like
The Holokrome brand. Typically to obtain them, I buy a box
of 50 or 100 pcs. Only way I would order them is in a boxed
quanity to make sure they are the real item. Any bolts you
find in "loose bins" at a hardware store are usually cheap
grade junk! Buy about a dozen of them. Drill a hole through
a block of steel, and insert the bolt and nut. Tighten them
down until it breaks! Not the reading, cheap bolts will vary
something like -60% to +20% of their rating. Plain junk...
hey, this should be fun for the next tech day!
Carroll Smith has written some good books for the racer. I would
also recommend his "Nuts, Bolts, Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook".
Cheers,
Tom Walter '67 2000
Austin, TX '68 2000
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