Interest? Stronger, cheaper Camber Alignment Bolts
05-10-17, 06:54 PM
#59
For what it's worth -
Some of the 350Z guys have had issues with "D" shaped alignment bolts. Seems that the reduced cross section and loss of circumferential thread engagement vs. the keyway design may lead to bolt stretch and/or nuts loosening more easily. Also the "D" shaped washer tends to deform at the corners where there is a very small bearing surface (theoretical line contact) and you end up with a few degrees of slop. The keyway design may be more difficult to manufacture but I reckon there is a reason that OEM Mazda and Nissan bolts are designed this way.
There is a detail post with pictures about it here:
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ml#post8293599
Some of the 350Z guys have had issues with "D" shaped alignment bolts. Seems that the reduced cross section and loss of circumferential thread engagement vs. the keyway design may lead to bolt stretch and/or nuts loosening more easily. Also the "D" shaped washer tends to deform at the corners where there is a very small bearing surface (theoretical line contact) and you end up with a few degrees of slop. The keyway design may be more difficult to manufacture but I reckon there is a reason that OEM Mazda and Nissan bolts are designed this way.
There is a detail post with pictures about it here:
https://my350z.com/forum/brakes-and-...ml#post8293599
07-30-17, 02:12 AM
#62
So I was really hoping this GB would happen...
In the meanwhile I ordered new OEM rear eccentric camber bolts and the corresponding plate washers.
I noticed the part numbers changed for both the bolt and plate washer.
Rear LCA camber bolt: (old part #) FD16-28-66ZA > (new part #) FD16-28-66ZB
Rear LCA camber plate washer: (old part #) FD16-28-473 > (new part #) FD16-28-473A (KD35-28-473A)
The bolts arrived and first thing I noticed is the new design along with a few random changes:
- The old bolts have a "D" shaped profile while the new ones have the key way design ( I assume this is what AZieger was referring to)
- The bolt hex head was enlarged from a 14mm to 17mm
- The small notch on the old plate washer was now located on the bolt plate washer
- The old bolt has a slit on the tip for a flat head screw driver while the new one does not have this
In the video you can see how both the old and new design allow for free play between the bolt and plate washer. The new design has a bit less play but still noticeable. Also the free play is not only rotational but also from side to side.
Since gracer7-rx7 has not updated the GB interest thread in a while I'm hoping my post will encourage more people to show interest and maybe we can still make this happen.
gracer7-rx7 mentioned having some personal issues (I hope all is well dude!) so maybe we can figure something out.
Anyone have any suggestions?
In the meanwhile I ordered new OEM rear eccentric camber bolts and the corresponding plate washers.
I noticed the part numbers changed for both the bolt and plate washer.
Rear LCA camber bolt: (old part #) FD16-28-66ZA > (new part #) FD16-28-66ZB
Rear LCA camber plate washer: (old part #) FD16-28-473 > (new part #) FD16-28-473A (KD35-28-473A)
The bolts arrived and first thing I noticed is the new design along with a few random changes:
- The old bolts have a "D" shaped profile while the new ones have the key way design ( I assume this is what AZieger was referring to)
- The bolt hex head was enlarged from a 14mm to 17mm
- The small notch on the old plate washer was now located on the bolt plate washer
- The old bolt has a slit on the tip for a flat head screw driver while the new one does not have this
In the video you can see how both the old and new design allow for free play between the bolt and plate washer. The new design has a bit less play but still noticeable. Also the free play is not only rotational but also from side to side.
Since gracer7-rx7 has not updated the GB interest thread in a while I'm hoping my post will encourage more people to show interest and maybe we can still make this happen.
gracer7-rx7 mentioned having some personal issues (I hope all is well dude!) so maybe we can figure something out.
Anyone have any suggestions?
The following users liked this post:
Spalato (07-30-17)
07-30-17, 01:19 PM
#65
Sorry about the delay fellas. Things have gotten better. My dad is starting to suffer from dementia among other health issues. Been dealing with that and I've had my own **** happening (things do go south after 40...) + home remodel/repair.
I actually mailed the fasteners to the fab shop on Saturday so I'm finally making progress on this. Assuming they receive the stuff Thurs or Fri of next week, I'm hoping to have a response the week ending 8/11.
Thanks.
I actually mailed the fasteners to the fab shop on Saturday so I'm finally making progress on this. Assuming they receive the stuff Thurs or Fri of next week, I'm hoping to have a response the week ending 8/11.
Thanks.
07-30-17, 01:40 PM
#66
Sorry about the delay fellas. Things have gotten better. My dad is starting to suffer from dementia among other health issues. Been dealing with that and I've had my own **** happening (things do go south after 40...) + home remodel/repair.
I actually mailed the fasteners to the fab shop on Saturday so I'm finally making progress on this. Assuming they receive the stuff Thurs or Fri of next week, I'm hoping to have a response the week ending 8/11.
Thanks.
I actually mailed the fasteners to the fab shop on Saturday so I'm finally making progress on this. Assuming they receive the stuff Thurs or Fri of next week, I'm hoping to have a response the week ending 8/11.
Thanks.
Thanks for the update!
09-15-17, 07:12 PM
#68
spoke with the fab shop a few days ago. They are shipping me a set of bolts to try out. I suspect they won't work but it's a start. This is going to be a bit longer than I expected...
Is anyone in Colorado? Boulder area? Would speed things up a bit to have a car on premises for fitting.
Is anyone in Colorado? Boulder area? Would speed things up a bit to have a car on premises for fitting.
09-16-17, 12:26 PM
#69
spoke with the fab shop a few days ago. They are shipping me a set of bolts to try out. I suspect they won't work but it's a start. This is going to be a bit longer than I expected...
Is anyone in Colorado? Boulder area? Would speed things up a bit to have a car on premises for fitting.
Is anyone in Colorado? Boulder area? Would speed things up a bit to have a car on premises for fitting.
10-16-17, 03:59 PM
#71
I've got good news and bad news.
Good news - I received a set of hardware to test fit. They look nice and beefy.
Bad news:
- I haven't had time to test fit yet. I PM'ed Moe since he is local to the fabricator.
- The woman I was working through is recovering from a brain tumor. Getting old sucks.
Good news - I received a set of hardware to test fit. They look nice and beefy.
Bad news:
- I haven't had time to test fit yet. I PM'ed Moe since he is local to the fabricator.
- The woman I was working through is recovering from a brain tumor. Getting old sucks.
10-10-18, 01:47 PM
#74
So as we're looking for new projects - we had a couple people reach out to us about taking this project on. In turn, we reached out to gracer7-rx7 who originally started the conversation. gracer7 was able to push us in the right direction and with some trial and error, we were able to set a plan of attack.
Sooo, here's where we're at... gracer7 was working with Advanced Autosports who in turn was working with SPC. If you don't know who SPC is, they are THE alignment company. SPC manufactures a complete range of alignment solutions from camber bolts to full on replacement arms.
SPC had sent a few prototypes to gracer7 last year, but those were never test fitted (or since located) so we started the process fresh. We took measurements of all the OEM hardware, sent it to SPC and they in turn found what they thought would be a good fit for the FD. The goal was to use something off-the-shelf, rather than creating something brand new.
Everything they sent is beefy. Grade 10.9 Bolts, Grade 12 Nuts, and the adjustable washers were pretty stout in their own right. Sizing on everything is pretty close. These might be a tad long for two of the bolts, but those can be machined down. I also am not a huge fan of the different finishes, but we can always anodize.
Now the question now is: are people still interested in us pushing this project along?
Sooo, here's where we're at... gracer7 was working with Advanced Autosports who in turn was working with SPC. If you don't know who SPC is, they are THE alignment company. SPC manufactures a complete range of alignment solutions from camber bolts to full on replacement arms.
SPC had sent a few prototypes to gracer7 last year, but those were never test fitted (or since located) so we started the process fresh. We took measurements of all the OEM hardware, sent it to SPC and they in turn found what they thought would be a good fit for the FD. The goal was to use something off-the-shelf, rather than creating something brand new.
Everything they sent is beefy. Grade 10.9 Bolts, Grade 12 Nuts, and the adjustable washers were pretty stout in their own right. Sizing on everything is pretty close. These might be a tad long for two of the bolts, but those can be machined down. I also am not a huge fan of the different finishes, but we can always anodize.
Now the question now is: are people still interested in us pushing this project along?
The following users liked this post:
garage alpha (10-11-18)