Front wishbone bolt size?

[Lesliehedley]

I was replacing the front springs on my 400SE and I managed to strip the thread of the lower wishbone bolt. I have ordered another one from Richard at RT Racing but when I tried to fit it, it didn't fit. Richard assures me that they should be 1/2 inch bolts, but the bolt that stripped appears to be 7/16 inch and longer than the bolt Richard supplied. The 1/2 inch bolt won't go through the holes in the chassis or the wishbone bush. Is anyone able to measure their lower wishbone bolt to see if they are 1/2 inch or 7/16? The 1/2 inch bolt also seems to be too short. My bolt is much longer. Richard's bolt wouldn't leave enough thread to get a nyloc on it. If anyone else has 7/16 inch bolts fitted, could you also measure the length please?

Did TVR alter the size of the bolts they use at some time? My TVR is 1990 so I would have thought quite late in the wedge line up. I'm puzzled.

[The Hatter]

I think I'm right in saying that the front suspension is Metric (Ford), so I suspect you have a 12mm bolt. If I remember correctly the rear suspension is imperial and the bolt to the lower rear hub is 1/2" - so I wonder if you've been sent the rear suspension bolt instead of the front.

You can just measure up the bolt and order it from places like Namrick. It'll probably be a metric fine thread but you can measure the pitch of the thread and check.

[phillpot]

If you are not too familiar with measuring/recognizing bolt sizes and threads I'd suggest a Google search "nut bolt fastener suppliers your town" , take old bolt along and they'll match it up.. no guessing no mistakes


...... and some new self locking nuts while you're there!

Edited by phillpot on Tuesday 27th September 09:34

[TVRleigh_BBWR]

yes the front lower are 12mm, metric on all the cars. the rears are 1/2" though. (not 100% on the top)
the original bolt also had a hole for a split pin.

I know this as I had to re-drill the racer to 1/2" as it was fitted with 1/2" (12.7mm) rose joints but used the original bolts, which caused some movement (defeats the object of rose joints)