Lower strut mounting bolts-- where to buy?

[lightheat]

Hey guys.

I just overtorqued one of my FL lower strut mounting bolts (spec sheet said 144 ft-lbs, snapped at 130) on my 2000 GP GT, and it broke in half. I think I can get it out, but I need to know where I can buy a replacement bolt. Autozone and Advance don't sell them. The guy at Advance said either through the dealer or a junkyard. Please tell me there's an easier or cheaper way.



Thanks,
Jesse

[03GTPLE]

you can try ed morad, he bascially has tons of grand prix parts as he takes in wrecks, lemme google his website really quick

..ok, it's Morad Parts Company - 3800 Motors, Transaxles, & Stock Parts

but the dealer may be faster. how much did they want per bolt?! can't be more than a couple bucks.

good luck,
Jesse (too!)

[lightheat]

Hey Jess =P

Thanks very much. I was actually trying to remember "Ed Morad" and failing. I actually just checked out NAPA and it looks like they carry it.

Store Locator | NAPA Online

Came back to post that. Hopefully they'll be open tomorrow. Thanks anyway!

Jesse

[03GTPLE]

that's the wrong part!!! that's a wheel stud. that attaches the wheel to the hub, not the shock to the steering knuckle!!! (which is why it doesn't have a bolt head, and it's waaaay too small for what you need)

I'm glad you came back and posted that.


Oh, where did you get the cool blue shocks?

[lightheat]

Well, crap. I figured it was just a stock image for perhaps a different make, but that makes more sense. I hope they carry it, then. I had planning on bringing either the broken bolt, one of the good ones, or a picture anyway to get exactly what I need.

They're Monroe Econo-matic struts. Link. My car has a broken sway bar and a broken coil spring. The cheapest coil springs I could find only came in a pair and for $133, so I figured I might as well replace the whole strut at once and not have to deal with the hazards of coil compression. I'm a casual driver. So long as it keeps the car off the ground with reasonable noise, I'm happy.

Mechanic quoted me $450 for those two parts, plus $350 labor. For about $420, I bought my own sway bar (with links), two entire strut assemblies, ceramic pads, and two rotors for the front wheels.

[WhatNext]

I suggest getting the camber adjusting bolts. The one you broke (upper) is the one that is replaced by the camber adjusting bolt. They are not expensive ($30 a pair) and you will need it to set the camber during alignment. They are available online but not sure if the stores carry them.
I forgot to get them when I replaced all 4 struts recently and ended up with negative camber front and rear. But with 3K miles since, there is no sign of funny tire wear. Others have run negative camber with no tire wear issues.

[TheOtherNick]

Buy a grade 8 bolt and put it in.