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Posted by Kevin in Ohio on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 23:50:50 :
In Reply to: frame rivet and bolt question posted by scott lane on Friday, February 27, 2009 at 19:38:28 :
As far as strength goes a 3/8" bolt will not have the same strength as 3/8" rivet. You have to keep in mind the smallest diameter on the thread is your "max yield strength" dimension. Offsetting that with a grade 8 bolt may compensate but I don't have a chart that would clarify that. Maybe someone here does. For example a 1/2" corse thread has about a .415 bottom thread dimension.
Some people argue you must use bolts that have a smooth shoulder the thickness of the pieces of steel being attached. If not, when the frame flexes you could elongate the holes from the bolts moving ever so slightly. I personally think that is reaching a little bit.
Arguements go both ways on whether bolts or rivets allow more flex. Rivets, when installed correctly are more solid than bolts because of the expansion force on the hole. Bolts have more force spread when washers are used.
I've personally had factory rivets break and or pop out. Replaced them with bolts, even standard grades, and never had a problem, just like Dave said. We did it on pickups that had close to 4 tons over a SWR over rough ground. Frames, springs and factory rivets broke before the bolts did. We drilled one size bolt bigger.
Put it to you this way. On my current build, I'm bolting it all together.
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