Any sort of engine or assembly would be impossible without automotive fastener. Choosing the right ones for the job is essential to help each part of the vehicle perform at its best. There are several things to keep in mind when choosing fasteners.
What Will I Use It For?
First, consider what you will use the fastener for. Do you need bolts, nuts, rivets, washers? Some of the most common automotive fasteners are:
- Nuts, weld nuts, castle nuts, and cap nuts
- Bolts, U-bolts, and Allen bolts
- Machine screws, sheet metal screws, and lag screws
- Washers, locking washers, dock washers, and spring washers
- Rivets, including POP rivets, multi-grip rivets, and tri-fold rivets
Analyze where in the vehicle you will install the fastener and how. Think about what materials you are putting together and what level of durability you’ll need.
Of course, some applications, like license plate mounting or pinning trailer hitches can use a wide variety of pins or screws without any dire consequences, but you’ll need to work out these details on more delicate parts of the car, such as engine assemblies, interior dashboard assembly, and other applications.
Remember to never use a lower-grade automotive fastener in a high-grade application, as it will not hold up. For example, Grade 2 bolts are perfect for low-stress jobs like interior trim or door handles. But you should never place one of these bolts in a motor, transmission mount, or brake system. These are Grade 8 bolt applications, and you’ll end up with a huge problem on your hands.
What Is the Load Requirement?
Every part of an assembly or project has its own load requirements that you simply cannot ignore for safety and quality reasons. The automotive fasteners you choose must be strong enough to hold two parts together without failing or breaking. You’ll have to consider the thickness of the sheets or parts you want to fasten together, the thread size you will need, and other similar factors.
What About Tensile Strength?
When you are clenching or tightening fasteners, pressure builds between the thread surfaces that are in contact with one another. This can cause seizing in softer metals like stainless steel and aluminum. Use fasteners with the appropriate design, strength, and resistance for the project to avoid problems with seizing, stripping or breakage.
What automotive Fastener is Right for the Temperature Requirements?
When choosing automotive fasteners for high-temperature applications, you should consider nickel or chromium materials, while non-metallic fasteners perform better in cold applications or in cold climates.
This is especially true when you are combining two different materials with a fastener because different materials can contract or expand at different rates, which can loosen or break a fastener.
What Brand of automotive Fastener Works Best?
The quality of the fasteners you choose will affect how they perform. From the type of material, they are made of, to how they are manufactured, every detail counts when it comes to consistent quality for every job.
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