Baystate Jeepers

Well, I was excited to be almost done with my summer project - outboard shocks, coil correction, antirock, yada yada - when I had one of those SOB moments! The nut on a lower rear control arm bolt almost backed off unnoticed and wallowed out the bolt holes. Both sides are wallowed out but one side feels worse than the other with the bolt in. Should I weld washers on both sides? And, would switching to fine thread bolts help keep those suckers tightened down?

I'd weld washers on there. Never thought about a fine thread but I'm guessing someone knows more about that than me. And Tony the build looks great!

Oh yeah, seen that before... I recommend some thick washers (check out McMaster) and lots of red loctite! I always brake clean the threads of the bolt first (because you put lots of anti-seize on the bolt when you install it so it doesn't rust to the sleeve... right Tony?)

Fine thread gives you more threads per inch and supposedly more bite. Either way you go I would use a lock washer and a lock nut ! It has nylon insert to keep it from backing off . FjR68

I would stick with the OEM bolts unless a lift kit or control arms came with fine thread bolts. The bolts need to be grade 8 or better. Anti-seize is great for where the bolt is in the bushing, but red loctite should be used on the nut and threads it contacts. The flange on the nut should provide the clamping bite. I'd plate the mount instead of just using a washer, but I have used washers in a pinch and found them to be durable enough.