JordanRN

Does anyone know the bolt specifics for the front sway bar on 98-02 FBodies? I misplaced mine during the build and the dealer can't get them or find the specs.

Thanks,
Jordan

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

end link bolts M8x1.25x180mm ?(#10018984)?
to 'frame' bolts M10x1.5x25 ?(#1838817)?

JakeRobb

Sorry for the resurrect, but I needed the swaybar-to-frame bolts as well, and found this thread.

I found part number 1838817 in the factory service parts manual, but can't find any evidence that anyone has ever sold it. Usually, searching for a GM part number, it'll show up on sites like GMPartsGiant and OEMCats, but might be discontinued and/or out of stock.

However, I did find part number 02056550, which is a skidplate bolt for some GM fullsize trucks. It has the same captured washer and the same M10x1.5x25 dimensions. I ordered a set of four, and will report back here if they fit as expected.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

Any flange head bolt ( which is what those stock bolts are ) in a 10.9 grade will work....I use ARP bolts myself for the bling

JakeRobb

A captured washer bolt has different characteristics when compared with a flange head.

I couldn’t say precisely what the differences are, nor why an engineer would specify one vs the other, but there are lots of flange-head bolts used elsewhere on these cars, so we can reasonably conclude that the engineers who designed this part of the car chose captured washers over flange heads for a reason.

Flamge heads will probably be fine, but they’re not correct.

FirstYrLS1Z

iTrader: (4)

A captured washer bolt typically has a lockwasher as the captured washer, a flange head typically does not have 'locking' serations on the flange. It's more to spread the load.

sjsingle1

iTrader: (1)

does yours have a split washer ? mine did not

one bolt does have a stud on it for the speed controller cover

JakeRobb

Captured washer bolts come with both lockwashers and flat washers. In this case, it's a flat washer. I'm not aware of any captured lock washers on these cars (EDIT: found one! The three bolts that hold the driver-side end of the panhard brace have caputured lock washers), but captured flat washers are used in a handful of places.

A captured washer can spin independent of the bolt head, which means that you're not scouring the surface below the bolt head as you tighten the bolt. A flanged head, especially one with locking serrations, will do exactly that. It's not always a problem, but sometimes it is. The separately rotating washer also makes it easier to apply the right amount of torque (because friction at the mating surface isn't contributing to the torque).

JakeRobb

Unfortunately, the dealer I ordered those bolts from came back and canceled/refunded the order, as that alternative part number is also discontinued. Turns out the trucks it's for are just as old as LS1 F-bodies.

I decided to go with a flanged-head bolt from ARP. Hopefully it won't be a problem!