are the subframe bolt nuts replaceable?

[noSHO4u]

I was installing my aluminum subframe bushings this weekend and ran into the dreaded 'spinning subframe bolt' problem with one of the front bolts. Using the almighty search button and reading everyone elses stories about the same problem, I eventually got it out by using a sawzall on the bolt and pushing the remainder of the bolt out thru the access hole.

I have a set of recall bolts from the recall kit, but I don't have the plate nuts that came with them. Does anyone know if just the plate nuts are available from Ford? Or can I just go to the hardware store and pick up a nut and washer that fit the bolts? I have enough access in there that I can get a wrench in there, so it shouldn't be a problem, I just dont want to use substandard hardware. From the looks of the plate nut that fused itself to the original subframe bolt, it doesn't look like there is much meat on there, so I'm hoping that a standard issue / generic nut will do the trick.

If i go with the generic nut,
should i use a regular washer and lock-tite on there?
Or am I better off using a lock washer and anti-seize on there?

 

[CerberuS]

Aint the nuts supposed to be in the kit?

 

[noSHO4u]

They were in the kit.
I originally bought the bushings for my previous sho. The car had already had the recall performed on it for the rears so all I had bought was a recall kit for the fronts. When we replaced the fronts, the front plate nuts were behaving, so we didnt replace them.
I then got rid of the car, but I kept the bushings and the subframe bolts for the next car. The new sho was not as forgiving when removing the front subframe bolts.
The plate nuts that came with the kit are no where to be found, and I'm fairly certain that they were tossed.

 

[SHO92]

I don't think you can easily replace the nuts with just a generic nut. It is pretty hard to get a wrench in there to hold the nut in place.

If you do go that way though, I'd probably go with a washer at the least, and a shouldered nut as well would probably be a good idea too.

 

[kzoosho]

i went to the ford dealership at home they were 3.87 at the dealership just go there and be safe

 

[CerberuS]

I don't think you can easily replace the nuts with just a generic nut. It is pretty hard to get a wrench in there to hold the nut in place.

If you do go that way though, I'd probably go with a washer at the least, and a shouldered nut as well would probably be a good idea too.

Id buy them off the dealer , just to be sure it has the good 'grade' nuts. Not generic nuts holding your whole cradle....

 

[noSHO4u]

I think i'll go to the dealer and get the correct ones then. Does anyone have the part number for them? Or can they just look that up?

On that note, does anyone suspect that the front plate nuts are different from the rears? I guess I could just have them look up the part number of the recall kit and ask for the plate nuts included in the kit.

 

[Rockledge]

I believe I've read some posts by Chris (Mr. Anonymous) that indicate that the bolts can be purchased seperately. So maybe that's an indication that the nuts have a seperate part number, too. Ask the parts guy.

 

[Entropy]

I think I have a few extras - check your PM's.

 

[Minnesho]

the nuts for the rear will work on the front just fine FYI.

 

[noSHO4u]

I got the recall nuts from Entropy yesterday (thanks again! ), and I was planning on installing them tomorrow, but I ended up getting free tickets to the Bears game tomorrow , so it looks like it'll have to wait until next weekend.

 

[Eric VerValin]

I got smart on my second SHO.. never had the recall.. so I got my ASF bushings in the mail, dropped off my car in the morning, and got it back at night, everything came off easy, and they cut my access holes perfectly. Made the install go a lot faster... let them worry about welding a new nut on there. On the front, I do beleive that one of them spun, but i just kept a little tension on the bolt when i first tightened it so it would sit 'straight' and have never had a problem since.

 

[93rev2sev]

Smart move Eric. Otherwise getting those out in your driveway is a PITA!