Bolt diameter/strength question for the rear spindle bolts.

[turbovanman²]

Stock minivan has 12mm bolts holding the spindle, the car uses 10mm bolts. Now putting a car spindle on the van, I welded up the spindle and I am using 2 12mm bolts and would like to just use 2 10mm bolts to finish it off. I think that will be fine as the cars used 4 of them, I guess they went overkill for the vans? what does everyone think? If I go 12mm, I have to weld up the spindle again.

[Frank]

I think you need to give us pictures because I don't see what you are doing....

[turbovanman²]

I think you need to give us pictures because I don't see what you are doing....

Picture the spindle, the part that bolts to the backing plate/axle, the hub and bearings go on it. Its held on with 4 bolts-cars use 10mm bolts, vans use 12mm bolts. I used 2 original bolts from the minivan as it makes it easier and had to weldup the outside of the spindle bolt holes as making them 12mm broke thru. To make it simple, it would be nice if I could get away with using the stock size of 10mm for the other 2 holes. I think it will be more than strong enough but open to suggestions.

[Frank]

Stick with 12mm bolts. A van is a lot heavier.

Get welding.

[GLHNSLHT2]

[turbovanman²]

I don't think there's any need for welding, this will be plenty strong.

[dodgeboy77]

Simon,

I don't know if this helps, but I pulled the disk brakes and spindles off a '91? Dynasty and it had bigger spindle bolts than the smaller K cars.

Bill

[BadAssPerformance]

Bolts cost money... Chrysler doesn't spend money to spend money typically.

Are you talking 4 M10's vs. 2 M12's? if so, the 4 M10's would be ok. If you are saying 2 M10's to replace 2 M12's? No way.

[turbovanman²]

Bolts cost money... Chrysler doesn't spend money to spend money typically.

Are you talking 4 M10's vs. 2 M12's? if so, the 4 M10's would be ok. If you are saying 2 M10's to replace 2 M12's? No way.

My van uses 4 M12's, the cars use 4 M10's. I have it worked out so I am using 2 M12's and 2 M10's per spindle. Its alot more work to use 4 M12's per spindle. Thats why this question. The load bearing is more on the M12's I am using so the 2 M10's are not stressed as much.

[BadAssPerformance]

Hmmm... still sounds like it is under the designed strength requirement, especially if it sees any cornering loads higher than the trip to the soccar field that the van was designed for.

[turbovanman²]

I've never heard of any car spindle coming off due to using M10's and Daytona's weigh close to my van. The M12's are being used on the bottom and M10's are the top 2. If you feel its not good enough, I guess I have to go M12,

[BadAssPerformance]

Yeah, Daytonas are tubby but vans have more rear weight and different rear suspensions too. If it were more of a race van I'd say use the M10's, but since it is a full weight van that you will have all the seats and your family in, that makes them want to be M12's...

Can you drill & re-tap the M10 holes?

[RoadWarrior222]

At least go up a grade on the M10s. I'd do it to a van with 1 row of seats, not one with 2 rows, or one you ever wanna tow with.

[BadAssPerformance]

He should already be using PC 10.9... higher grade bolts have better tensile but are not better for fatigue.

[turbovanman²]

Yeah, Daytonas are tubby but vans have more rear weight and different rear suspensions too. If it were more of a race van I'd say use the M10's, but since it is a full weight van that you will have all the seats and your family in, that makes them want to be M12's...

Can you drill & re-tap the M10 holes?

I haven't made the holes yet, so I can make them M12. I will have to weld up the spindles then.

He should already be using PC 10.9... higher grade bolts have better tensile but are not better for fatigue.

Yep, there 10.9's, just like the factory.