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SPC Toe Bolts are Shorter than OEM; OK to proceed?
I'm in the middle of installing my rear toe bolts and have already elongated the bolt holes on the driver's side rear. Just noticed the SPC bolts are significantly shorter in length leaving only a small amount of exposed threads when inserted. Is this right?
Mine are about 1/4-3/8" of thread exposed once the nuts are fully tightened. Did they send you the proper part#, I'd contact SPC and see if they have the actual length listed in their product data. I wouldn't use those as-is, if you have to drive your car while waiting for longer bolts I'd max out your old OEM toe bolts and just keep your driving to a minimum. Part # listed is 72265 for both the camber and toe bolts. http://www.spcalignment.com/index.ph...c&task=details
However, on my toe bolt kit, the washer is stamped 72056 and the bolt head says JDF 10.9. The length of the SPC bolt is just over 3 1/8" from under the bolt head to the end of the threads.
The 10.9 stamped on the nut is similar hardness to the SAE grade 5 fastener. Not sure about that 72056 as it's not listed on the SPC site. I'd give them a call and see if they can give you the length that your bolts should be (assuming you have the 72265 kit)
1-800-525-6505
Just checked the length on mine the best I could w/out lifting the car, and the total bolt length from end to end (end of threads to top of bolt head) is 4" give or take a couple mm.
Spoke with Tom from SPC and he verified that the length of my toe bolts are too short. Should be closer to 3 1/2". Trying to sort this out with the reseller and SPC. Will report back with more info when I can.
SPC chalked this up as a packing error on their part. New bolts are on their way from CO to AZ. Hopefully I'll have them by midday Friday and can finish up the car and get it aligned before the shop closes for the weekend.
Also, FWIW, the rep and his manager were initially concerned that the washers had hand-engraved part numbers and suspected that they may be counterfeit. There was about an hour period today where I was just SMH at the situation. SPC was going to have to thoroughly investigate, I'd be without bolts while they sorted it out, car would remain unfinished, etc. It wasn't looking pretty. They had me email over extensive pictures of the control arms and packaging, etc. He was recommending I keep it discreet with the vendor and try and get them to take them back as a return. I was just like "holy jeez..." Then Tom called back and said all was well. Turns out there was a short period when their engraving machine was out of commission and this type of engraving had to be performed on a small batch of washers. The control arms looked legit and he was sorry for the unnecessary angst. LOL.
08-08-2017, 10:11 PM
