Where to get a hold of 17mm bolt? (1 Viewer)

[darroncollins]

Hey everyone-
Today I replaced my four tie rod ends/drag link ends. Wow, those things were tough to get off!

Picklefork didn't do the job, rented a puller that wasn't quite the right size and I managed to mash the 17mm castle bolt that holds the steering damper to the longer drag-link end.

Had NO luck finding even a 17mm bolt, nevermind a 17mm castle bolt! So, I just took the steering damper off entirely from the bracket on the frame.

Do I need to ask for anything more specific than a 17mm castle bolt and an appropriate sized cotter pin? Where do I get one? Will my handling improve significantly with that old damper on? Doesnt feel horrible as is.

Thanks-
Darron

 

[John Smith]

Hey everyone-
Today I replaced my four tie rod ends/drag link ends. Wow, those things were tough to get off!

Picklefork didn't do the job, rented a puller that wasn't quite the right size and I managed to mash the 17mm castle bolt that holds the steering damper to the longer drag-link end.

Had NO luck finding even a 17mm bolt, nevermind a 17mm castle bolt! So, I just took the steering damper off entirely from the bracket on the frame.

Do I need to ask for anything more specific than a 17mm castle bolt and an appropriate sized cotter pin? Where do I get one? Will my handling improve significantly with that old damper on? Doesnt feel horrible as is.

Thanks-
Darron

There is no such thing as a "castle bolt" I have ever found. You either messed up a bolt or a "castle nut". You can drill a hole in a regular old bolt to use a cotter pin to retain the castle nut. Fastenal, McMaster Carr, Grainger, or your local True Value all stock metric nuts and bolts. Unless you have underlying steering issues you should notice no difference steering with the steering stabilizer removed.

 

[Lost]

as for the steering stabalizer, they are nice to have, but i dont even run one on my truck

 

[darroncollins]

thanks-
yes, castle nut...not bolt.
Home Depot, Ace Hardware, Auto Zone O'Reily's in my area ... no go. Think i'll leave her as is.
dc

 

[Randy88FJ62]

As stated above: Home Depot and Lowes have good selections of Metric hardware. I have seen castle nuts in Home Depot. You can also order from McMaster Carr.

 

[kevin in okinawa]

yup. in the future, try flipping the nut so the castle part is pointing towards the bolt head, and have it kinda flush with the end of the bolt, then swing away with your BFH

it's easier to loosen up the TRE, and you won't totally F up the nut or bolt.

 

[Kynot62]

Where you will notice the lack of a steering damper is off road. When you hit a rock or other object with one wheel and the steering wheel whacks your hands.

Tony

 

[darroncollins]

I tried, I tried!

yup. in the future, try flipping the nut so the castle part is pointing towards the bolt head, and have it kinda flush with the end of the bolt, then swing away with your BFH

it's easier to loosen up the TRE, and you won't totally F up the nut or bolt.

I had rented a puller from AutoZone, because the picklefork wasn't doing the trick. But when I set the puller on, I failed to remove the castle bolt -- so, apply LOTS of pressure and, wham, I really destroyed both top and bottom threads of the nut. Eventually, though, I used the "trusted technique" of picklefork wedged in the right place + puller and that finally did the trick. Shot off like a bullet.

The mack daddy OME kit comes with a new stearing damper, doesn't it? Suppose i'll wait until then.

Thanks all-
Darron

 

[Elbert]

Well... you can order most bolts from Spector Offroad.. SOR.. But shipping wil be $$.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Well... you can order most bolts from Spector Offroad.. SOR.. But shipping wil be $$.

Shipping isn't expensive when you live 20 mins away like me.

 

[lcwizard]

are you sure it's a 17mm nut or a is the socket size 17 mm?
without walking outside in the currently very cold weather, I believe the bolt is 10mm or 12mm 1.25pitch.
Most domestic sources for metrics will provide a nut with a 17mm or 19mm hex in this size. Toyota frequently used what is known as a reduced hex nut on their trucks.
This is why 10mm bolts from Toyota had a 14mm hex while Ace hardware's 10mm used a 17mm hex
and the toyota 8mm bolt used a 12mm hex vs a 13mm standard hex.
measure the bolt diameter not the hex nut diameter. 12mm will be close to 1/2", 10mm will be close to 3/8"