Really necessary to replace all the suspension hardware?

[mikes2017gt]

In reading up for my upcoming suspension mods, I found that Ford recommends the suspension/handling hardware is "single use only" and should be replaced if removed. The even have a handy parts kit for this, M-FR3-FASTENA https://performanceparts.ford.com/part/M-FR3-FASTENA

Replacing the nylon locknuts is a no-brainer, I totally get that. Those are truly single-use items and Nyloc nuts are cheap. But the replacement bolts appear to have blue Loctite on them...and that's what makes them special? A bottle of Loctite is a lot cheaper than this kit.

I also get taking into account the shear forces on the bolts, etc. My car is new. I highly doubt the bolts will fail if I properly remove and torque them properly upon reinstallation.

But, $120 is cheap insurance. I get that too. What are your thoughts on the matter?

Sponsored

 

[IvanCRF]

Cool kit. I disobeyed the service manual and re-used all of mine once and did not have problems. If I drop my subframe and tear into everything again, I'll buy this kit. For the subframe, I notice the four giant blue bolts are not included. I did end up having to buy a new subframe bolt because of how chewed up it became on installation. Makes me wonder if it would be cheaper to piece every nut and bolt into an online shopping cart...

 

[jbailer]

Nah, I've had several of those bolts in and out many times.

 

[keltymd]

I will give you an example of why it is not needed. Look at what is in the kit it contains the the toe link and camber bolts you have to loosen to adjust the alignment. if they were single use TTY bolts then every time you got an alignment you would have to replace them..

 

[s550v6]

When I did my suspension the only bolts I replaced are the front strut to spindle bolts and nuts, the rear shock upper and lower mounting bolts, and all 4 cradle bolts. Just for some piece of mind

 

[wildcatgoal]

Eventually, after numerous times coming out and in, I decided to replace my hardware. But... not until very recently. That said, it's really nice to use new hardware because there is no crud on the threads and you don't have to spend time cleaning them. If you just spin in a bolt with old locktight or other crap on it, you start to risk the integrity of the threads the bolt goes into. So clean the bolt, reapply locktite first and foremost.

 

[mikes2017gt]

Thanks very much for all the replies. I have wire brushes that I can scrub the threads with before reapplying Loctite.

Guess I need to analyze what new hardware the Steeda parts come with and what I would absolutely need to buy new (the Nyloc nuts). Not sure what sizes I'd need. The Ford kit description says what parts it contains, but not the sizes of the fasteners:

• Front Damper assembly and mounting hardware
• Front Sway Bar mounting hardware
• Rear Toe Link mounting hardware including the rear outer alignment cam
• Rear Lower Control Arm mounting hardware
• Rear Upper Control Arm mounting hardware
• Rear knuckle mounting hardware
• Rear Sway Bar mounting hardware
• Rear Shock assembly and mounting hardware

Anyone know the sizes of those Nyloc nuts? AFAIK, just like Imperial threads, there are also Coarse and Fine Metric threads too. So for example, are all the 10mm and 12mm nyloc nuts on the Mustang coarse threaded? Fine?

 

[ANGST]

I will give you an example of why it is not needed. Look at what is in the kit it contains the the toe link and camber bolts you have to loosen to adjust the alignment. if they were single use TTY bolts then every time you got an alignment you would have to replace them..

I am sure this is exactly what Ford would like

 

[wildcatgoal]

I clean the threads on a bench wheel, clean the threads with a wire brush where the bolt screws into, and re-apply Loctite where it was before. Then I torque with a calibrated torque wrench (TeamTorque.com). No issues on my end, thus far.

 

[M151A2]

I watched a video and they said the fasteners should be replaced because they are "torque-to-yield". well, they are not Torque to yield, simply torqued.
Provided the threads are clean and Loc-tite is used and no visible damage, I can think of no reason not to re-use the bolts.
I'm sure Ford would be happy if you replace every fastener each time you loosen/ remove a bolt.
I did a lot of mods to my suspension, Torqued to spec and after a month or so, put it back up an the rack and checked. No movement and all is well.

Sponsored