Thought I'd upgrade the front arb to an r32 23mm one to compliment my 28mm eibach RARB so picked one up from the local vw dealer for £96 but they want £25 for the four sub frame stretch bolts!!!! Is the only option or can I get them cheaper else where? Thanks in advance.

As long as you know the appropriate size, threading, strength, etc then you can pick them up anywhere.

 

I have always found dealer prices to be crazy for bolts :-(

I re-used the subframe bolts and lived

Can always put them back in whilst on the hunt for some cheaper ones then I suppose. Just need to take the FARB back now though as they gave me a 20mm one not the 23mm one :-(. Thanks for the replys guys.

Ive swapped mine everytime its been down lol

But my luck is poo and my car is evil

Cant give him any excuse to break anything haha

As long as you know the appropriate size, threading, strength, etc then you can pick them up anywhere.

I have always found dealer prices to be crazy for bolts :-(

Not that easy to find stretch bolts and if folks are going to replace stuff they should factor in the price of everything the job en-tales,  unless they have access and knowledge to go outside of dealership and then what happens if a similar bolt that look like it does the trick then fails. Just not worth it imo.

 

I re-used the subframe bolts and lived

Something I would just not do and not recommended. They are stretch bolts for a reason. I hear you that you have no issues but you never know.

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Point taken. Looks like I'll be buying them from the dealers then. Thanks again all.

Why do they use stretch bolts on a sub frame sounds pretty stupid to me?

The four bolts should be £17-18 retail incl VAT - £25 is a bit steep. It's vital you use new stretch bolts for the subframe. The clamping torque is high at 100Nm + 90°. After putting the subframe back you need an alignment. If it moves even a small amount after that, reusing those bolts can quickly become a false economy.

Why do they use stretch bolts on a sub frame sounds pretty stupid to me?

 

stretch bolts (when within torque range) are basically elastic - which means they grip at a continuous rate

 

Means they can absorb more movement - a standard bolt in the same location would loosen over a period of time

Edited 5 March, 201412 yr by snow_muncher

stretch bolt (when within torque range) are basically stretchy - which means they grip at a continuous rate

Means they can absorb more movement - a standard bolt in the same location would loosen over a period of time

Well i'll be

Cleverness , i did wonder but thought id just sit quiet and wonder instead

Why do they use stretch bolts on a sub frame sounds pretty stupid to me?

 

Actually the subframe does give a little as the vibration on the rear rubber subframe mounts give which could cause a none stretch bolt to loosen, .  and for the reasons the much more knowledgeable folks than me have pointed out.

 

Plus I have purchased all 4 from TPS much cheaper than £25  

Being in the motor trade, 99% of customers refuse to pay for extras like these. As a result, I don't think we've ever replaced stretch bolts on suspension components. Right or wrong, we've never had a problem.

It's allmost impossible to snap a subframe bolt,it's massive.I reused them 4th times and I bet it won't snap

It's allmost impossible to snap a subframe bolt,it's massive.I reused them 4th times and I bet it won't snap

Not so. They may be M14 but they do snap if you reuse them - just like engine mounting bolts.

The last one I saw was only a week ago. They snapped when the owner 'clipped' the kerb on a roundabout. Normally, you would expect a scuffed alloy - not destroyed suspension/running gear. The insurance company now have the bolts.

You can snap them by over tightening them - when overstretched they will loose significant strength

 

They also loose elasticity over time and wear

 

The bolts don't show wear or overstretching, so there no easy way to monitor their state, so the standard advice is to change them

Edited 6 March, 201412 yr by snow_muncher

Ordered new bolts from skoda as like stated before it's not worth the risk. It's still a 23mm anti roll bar for just over £150 all in including superpro bushes so I'm not gonna complain :-)

£25 for 4 bolts does take the pee though :no:

Yes it does,massively, but not being in the trade means no discounts unfortunately and as it's a dealer part only gsf etc couldn't help

:-(

Yes it does,massively, but not being in the trade means no discounts unfortunately and as it's a dealer part only gsf etc couldn't help

:-(

 

should of gone to TPS buddy.....

 

Also believe it or not VW is cheaper than Skoda for the same parts in a lot of parts I used to get .

 

I never go to Skoda now

 

My Options on main dealer only parts in order are:

 

1. Go to TPS

2. Go to VW

3. Go to Seat

4. Go to Skoda

5. Go to Audi

 

All these folks all have the same P/N and cross reference the same parts systems and each others systems too.