Thread: Strut mount bolts too short....solution?

In principle, you shoiuld not reuse mechanical locking nuts because they distort during the initial use and may have reduced locking power the second time they are used. I put Loctite on mine.

Maybe I am making "much ado about nothing."

However, I would be the guy buying the longer Nismo wheel studs.


Thanks, got my terminology/part wrong, and the last time I saw a strut mount, out of the vehicle, was when I did my suspension a few years ago.

I get the idea, it's a threaded peice, but does not actually have a normal (bolt) head on it.

I'm going to call Mike, have him yank the OEM strut mount, and then I will have it in my hands.


Yep. Sorry, that...ahem....stud is just not long enough for me.

Damn. That sounded gay as hell.


So, you are telling me that not only is the stud too short, but technically, the locking nuts should not me reused either?

In that case, I've got a (technically) iffy locking nut, on a too-short stud. Six (6) of them. Holding my front suspension to my vehicle.

That does not make me comfortable in the least.

I may be working harder than I have to. Obviously, folks have "had no issues" with the short studs, but with my luck, I'll be the first to have three of those nuts back off the studs, and be fuxored. Probably on a curve, doing 70 mph.

New longer studs, with matching stainless lock nuts are in my future.

Shawn it will be fine. A tone of people on the forum have them with no issues. I personally have had none. Be careful taking that brace on and off the car. You WILL eventually brake the hard power steering line.

Ok, I am a total hypocrite. I just popped the hood to look at my FSTB and it looks exactly like the picture of yours Shawn. I've had it that way for quite awhile without any issues.

Guess it didn't bother me when I installed it since I didn't even notice. I'm thinking maybe Tein or Cusco camber plates may be in my future.

The existing Nissan OEM studs are:

8 mm X 1.25 thread pitch X 22 mm

The ones we need to replace them will be:

8 mm X 1.25 thread pitch X 33 mm

The problem is that all the places I have been calling do not have a stud that small with a head on it. I did a Google on "automotive fasteners stud" and came up with a bunch of promising on-line stores. After a dozen calls, still nothing. ARP told me I would have to "have that manufactured."

I realize that I am going against the grain here. Further, I am one of the least mechanically adept members of this forum. However, I am changing out those strut mount studs for longer ones. One way or another.

I'll keep you posted when I find the source, part number, and price.

Thank you all for the input.

Good, don't cop out. Only do it your way!

shawn......if you cant find actuall studs to replace them with why dont you simply find the correct bolt and weld them in you can likely find that bolt at home depot.

I am a bit hard-headed and extremely picky when it comes to my mechanicals. Everything shall be correct, I am not satisfied with "good enough." It may indeed be good enough, and I may be wasting some effort.

However, I sincerely appreciate everyone's input.


I have been to at least two dozen "metric automobile fastener" web-sites. That was my actual Google search criteria. A ton of places that have "every known fastener to modern man, a gazillion parts in stock."

Bullsh*t. Most of them were absolutely clueless.

I have time, I am having the suspension re-assembled, and sending the vehicle to the body shop on Monday. Other than the studs in question, it is done. Plus, it will be driven gently for at least a month while being made beautiful.

I am considering the options:

1) I have highly detailed pictures of the "cap ended stud" in question. With our new Cannon bad-ass camera. Which may help my search.

2) I may replace the entire mount with an aftermarket mount of some sort. Tein is supposed to let me know exactly how long the studs are on their "OEM replacement mount" for the B13. Otherwise, there are other mount solutions to explore.

3) I may follow your suggestion, I've already contemplated buying some grade-8 bolts in the appropriate size and having them welded into place. How difficult could that possibly be at a welding shop? Sounds like a peice of cake.

I'll post excrutiatingly detailed photos of the plate and studs tomorrow or Sunday.

And I am going to figure this one out.

Thanks again guys.

SHAWN-i have run several cars of mine like this and also several customers cars. not the ideal situation by any means but they did hold up. some of them had a very unforgiving suspension setup on the vehicle. i just was always busy and never motivated enough to go as far as you are but it is the right thing to do.
drew

Here are the highly detailed pictures. New Cannon camera has got the serious skills.

Side shot showing the threads, both vertical and horizontal. It looks exactly like a wheel stud, but in minature.



Another side angle.



The bottom of the plate showing the "stud heads" very clearly.



And one with the lock-nut threaded on.



Gentlemen, I assert that that stud is not long enough, and shall be replaced.


I have no doubt whatsoever that you and Benito, and pretty much everyone else have had no issues. Additionally, you guys are way more mechanically inclined than myself.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's input and guidance.



That is exactly what I was thinking.

While it may work just fine 99% of the time, and be A-OK, it is not right. That would be fine with me on some misc. interior panel. But not on my damn suspension, brakes, engine, steering column or transmission.

It has indeed been a pain in the ass. I have literally spent hours and hours trying to source those damn micro-sized "studs with heads on them."

"We have every automobile fastener on Planet Earth. Call us."

Ring, ring, ring..... And the answer is.....an utter load of clueless crap.

I'm not done with this issue by a long shot. The strut plate goes back to Mikey (mechanic) so he can re-assemble the suspension and send the vehicle to Alberts (body-shop) so they can get to work.

In the meantime, armed with my measurements and pictures, I am going to continue my quest for the mechanically correct solution. Once the vehicle is done at the body-shop, it shall return to Mike to implement the strut mount stud fix.

Plus I shall document that strut-stud fix, once and for all, so that anybody who wishes to do so can easily duplicate my efforts.

Thanks again guys.