Grade 8 bolts, RANT

[Project TNX]

So I was putting to gether my engine and when I went to put the Power Steering pump in both of the bolts sheared off 1 turn after hand tight, crazy. But that's not what my rant is about, those 2 bolts were old and in bad shape, it happens.

So I went to Lowe's to get some new ones, no such luck. They didn't have the ones I needed in Grade 8 or Grade 5. Here is where my rant comes in, LOL. I am not one to rail against the establishment just to rail against the establishment, but WalMart, Home Depot, and Lowes have put the small hardware stores in my area out of business. So now I have to run all over town (or maybe the next town over) to find the bolts I need.

Have any of you guys stumbled across a particular chain of stores that has a large supply of Grade 8 bolts?

 

[Boost231]

man that sucks. I have to drive a half our to get bolts for my car. the Ace hardware near my house doesnt carry anything. i know how you fell.

 

[Tom Walker]

Tsc

at the tractor supply (TSC) in my area, you can buy them by the pound...

 

[Project TNX]

man that sucks. I have to drive a half our to get bolts for my car. the Ace hardware near my house doesnt carry anything. i know how you fell.

Yeah, it blows, there was a little Hardware Store 2 miles down the road from me that was stacked with Grade 8 bolts, but when the Lowes Superstore came in they went under.

I love the fact I can go to Lowes and get a whole bunch of things, but those large superstores have killed the businesses that carried the hard to find items. If I have to order these off the internet I am going to be pissed.

This is also the first time I have ever seen a bolt shear off without bottoming out or even feeling tight. Luckily it was very easy to remove the broken off piece, but it interupted my groove.

My engine is at that critical point, where you all you can do is turn the key and hope nothing leaks. I've asked some doofy questions about it, but mainly just questions about the swap or something I hadn't done before. I am very proud of this engine, everything I have done has been done right and to spec, so I'm optimistic.

 

[Project TNX]

at the tractor supply (TSC) in my area, you can buy them by the pound...

I hope so, that is the 1st place I am going tomorrow. It'd be nice if they have them. I plan on putting this engine in tomorrow if all goes well.

 

[Boost231]

i hope i dont run into this problem. my new motor will be going in the car in about 2 weeks.

 

[turbodave231]

I feel your pain brother. The corner hardware store is nearly extinct. I go out of my way to patronize my local hardware stores.

If you need quality fasteners, and are forced to order off the internet, McMaster Carr is the best. They have everything in stock and ship the same day.

 

[gyrhead]

Fastenal

Fastenal is also decent, there is a store in most decent sized towns. WW Grainger is also OK, but won't sell to individuals (businesses only)

I'm lucky to have a profitable and busy small town hardware store nearby. They pack EVERYTHING into a small store, and they always have what I need.

Home Depot and Lowes suck.

 

[gnxtc2]

Try Sears Hardware.

Billy T.
gnxtc2@aol.com

 

[turbofabricator]

The power steeing bolts are metric (8mmx1.25) and do NOT come in grade 5 OR grade 8. They come in grade 9.8 or 10.9 (among other grades) So,.........go back to Home Depot and see if they have the correct bolts again. You could always remove the bracket and heli-coil the holes to 5/16-18 or 24 and find grade 8 bolts most places.
I have a few nut and bolt places locally. They sell fasteners and high quality hardware and tools. Nice to have them. BUT, they are not open on saturdays or sundays.
The old BIG hardware store (Eagle) use to have a GREAT hardware selection, but after Lowes (Blowes) bought them out, they now only carry dry wall screws, it seems.
I DO feel your pain.

 

[TKGN1]

I feel your pain brother. The corner hardware store is nearly extinct. I go out of my way to patronize my local hardware stores.

If you need quality fasteners, and are forced to order off the internet, McMaster Carr is the best. They have everything in stock and ship the same day.

+1, I order a load of stuff from McMaster daily. Usually get stuff next day.

 

[pacecarta]

if you want automotive grade bolts instead of bolts for your fence you should be looking in an automotive store

most auto chains have bolts in packages on the shelf but they also usually have a drawer cabinet in the back with a greater variety , most counter help will just look at you and shrug when you say you couldnt find it on the shelf and wont even tell you they have a cabinet full of hardware .

 

[Project TNX]

if you want automotive grade bolts instead of bolts for your fence you should be looking in an automotive store

most auto chains have bolts in packages on the shelf but they also usually have a drawer cabinet in the back with a greater variety , most counter help will just look at you and shrug when you say you couldnt find it on the shelf and wont even tell you they have a cabinet full of hardware .

And the winner is.......pacecarta

The first Autozone told me "we have what's on the shelf." Then a different guy there came up to me and asked what I needed. They only had one M8 x 1.25 x 70. So I go to the other and the lady told me, "just what's on the shelf." And I said, "So you don't have a bolts bin in the back like the other store I just left?" She looked at me stunned, like how did I know that Top Secret info that was going to cost her 2 minutes of here life and interrupt her conversation with a co-worker, how dare I? They had five of the bolts I needed, I only needed one more.

Tractor Supply had tons of bolts, most of them standard. Jeesh, getting a bolt is hard work, LOL.