Re-use flywheel bolts?

[Vibenator]

My '03 GT has come down with the infamous slipping clutch syndrome at only 28,000 miles. As I plan to install a new clutch and refurbished flywheel, the manual says to replace the eight flywheel bolts. I checked with my local dealer, and they want $10.81 for each bolt! Not wanting to pay over $88 for a few bolts, I'm considering re-using the old ones providing they are not stretched nor damaged. Has anyone done this? Problems? I'm an old man, so I don't drive the car hard or abuse the clutch in any way. Any informed responses are welcome.

[Herb]

Well I would probably check out other sources such as Toyota or any automotive supply store.Never Enough Auto has them for $37.00http://neverenoughauto.com/ind...51486Wouldn't risk reusing them, if they sheer off while driving it would be a pain in the neck to get at them again.

[scherry2]

I'm sure they have an adhesive on the bolt. The flywheel bolt on a GM vehicle have adhesive on them, and according to KPC standards (government regulated) or MVSS for you older folks, you cannot reuse a fastener that has an adhesive on it. at work if they loosen on up for any kind of repair a fastener with adhesive on it the repairman has to throw way that fastener and replace it. So personally I would pay and replace them with either GM or Toyota OEM parts.

[Vibenator]

Thanks for the info, I'll get the ART bolts from Never Enough. I found a few fastener websites that have 10-1.25/20mm 10.9 grade metric flange bolts (10.9 grade is hardened with tensile strength of 150,000psi) for $1.12 each. These, however, have rather small hex heads. The ARP bolts had larger Torx heads which is a definite plus. From what I learned, the Toyota bolts stretch when torqued down, hence re-use is not recommended. ARP claims that their bolts are re-usable.In regard to adhesive on the threads as mentioned by the other poster, using a thread locker on a non-adhesive bolt has the same effect. The ARP bolts have no adhesive on them.

[scherry2]

Quote, originally posted by Vibenator »In regard to adhesive on the threads as mentioned by the other poster, using a thread locker on a non-adhesive bolt has the same effect. The ARP bolts have no adhesive on them.there are different degrees of "thread locker" or adhesive as it is known at assembly plants. In 30 years at GM 10 years in the torque department I have never heard of a fastener "stretching" when two parts are bolted together. Maybe its a Toyota thing, I know its not a GM thing. like I said better safe than sorry when it comes to walking home or tearing a clutch up because you didn't want to spend the money on the proper fastener and it loosened up and came out or sheered off. my $.02

[djkeev]

Quote, originally posted by Vibenator »....................... From what I learned, the Toyota bolts stretch when torqued down, hence re-use is not recommended. ARP claims that their bolts are re-usable.In regard to adhesive on the threads as mentioned by the other poster, using a thread locker on a non-adhesive bolt has the same effect. The ARP bolts have no adhesive on them.ALL bolts stretch when torqued. It is the very property that makes tightening ANY bolt possible. Think of a bolt as a heavy duty rubber band. You can stretch it....to a point.... and it will return to its original size when the tension is released. You stretch the bolt too far, it will break or will go beyond its ability to remember its original length. This rubber band tendency is how bolts hold things tight, it isn't the nut getting harder to turn, it is the bolt stretching in length and trying to pull back to its original length.We could go into bolt grades and the various properties but there isn't enough space here to do that.Some bolts, most familiar are modern head bolts, are designed to be stretched only once. Do it again and they will not hold the tension or worse, they will snap.The flywheel bolts most likely are one use design. Don't go risking them coming loose for they can no longer contract to their original length or snapping on you. Bite the bullet and purchase the proper bolts. Ever take a coil spring out of a pen? You can pull on it a little and it comes right back to the same as it was, pull on it a LOT and it stretches and changes its entire structure and can never be made like it was before. This is how your flywheel bolts behave. One pull and they are done.Dave