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Which is stronger Grade 8 or Grade 5 bolts?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by daren, Sep 14, 2004.

  1. daren
    Joined: Aug 11, 2002
    Posts: 216

    daren
    Member

    Well I was wondering which is stronger or most resistant to a shear force, you know side to side not up and down. Anyway opinions vary, i've heard some say that a Grade 8 bolt is too brittle and that a grade 5 holds up better to a shear force. Just curious I will be needing this info soon. Any engineers or the like care to comment, your reply would be very appreciative.
     
  2. crow
    Joined: Apr 27, 2004
    Posts: 474

    crow
    Member

    Grade 8 is "stronger" as in tensile strength or force it takes to break it, but when they go the snap.

    Grade 5 will flex as it fails and tend distort and stretch and may actually hold together a bit.

    I would use Grade 5 in a high shear situation.

    my experience and opinion.
     
  3. Steve
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 1,010

    Steve
    Member

    grade 8 is technically stronger but I wouldn't use them in suspension stuff cause like you mentioned they are more brittle
     
  4. willowbilly3
    Joined: Jun 18, 2004
    Posts: 4,356

    willowbilly3
    Member Emeritus
    from Sturgis

    I am not sure what they are graded but for the best bolts available we always used Caterpillar bolts.
     

  5. 41ChevyTrucker
    Joined: Nov 4, 2003
    Posts: 453

    41ChevyTrucker
    Member

  6. demonspeed
    Joined: Jul 22, 2004
    Posts: 517

    demonspeed
    Member

    yea I think crow’s right. grade 8 is stronger but not good for suspension parts. stuff like bodywork you probably on need grade 3 for.
     
  7. FrameDragger
    Joined: Sep 5, 2002
    Posts: 475

    FrameDragger
    Member

    Hmm... Trying to think, I don't think I have ever seen an 8 break... I have broken 5's on an engine hoist before though... Anyone have an experience where an 8 did break? What did it take to break it???
     
  8. Deuce Rails
    Joined: Feb 1, 2002
    Posts: 2,016

    Deuce Rails
    Member

    Check out Carroll Smith's book on fasteners.

    At the very least, it will answer all your questions about bolts. At the most, it will save your life.
     
  9. enjenjo
    Joined: Mar 2, 2001
    Posts: 2,689

    enjenjo
    Member
    from swanton oh

    [ QUOTE ]
    yea I think crow’s right. grade 8 is stronger but not good for suspension parts. stuff like bodywork you probably on need grade 3 for.

    [/ QUOTE ]

    Grade 8 is much better for suspension, period! Read the rock crawler thread again. Want to prove it to yourself, drill two holes in two pieces of bar stock 2 ft long, 3" apart at one end one 3/8", and the other 1/4". put a 3/8" bolt and nut in the larger hole, and a grade 5 1/4" bolt in the other. Hold one bar in a vise, and you can cut the 1/4" bolt in two with one hand, that's shear baby. then try it with a 1/4" grade 8 bolt. You will see the difference.
     
  10. crow
    Joined: Apr 27, 2004
    Posts: 474

    crow
    Member

    Yes, I have always used Grade 8 on my suspension junk(rockcrawlers). Usually the higher tensile strength is great enough. I have often been confused about the appropriate use. I have always seen Grade 8 on high quality suspension stuff but grade 5 on seat mounts. Someone once explained it to me but I have lost it. I think it has mainly to do with tension vs. shear. Imma read that article closer(again).
     
  11. Dan
    Joined: Mar 13, 2001
    Posts: 2,384

    Dan
    Member

    so in a nutshell...for my A coupe I want grade 8 for all suspension/engine/tranny mounts and I can mount the body and seat with grade 5 ????
     
  12. <font color="red"> 8 is stronger in all aspects....if you doubt me read the article posted by 41chevytruck that article sums it up better then i can...The reason folks think grade 8 shears is because when it goes it is at very high pressure and makes more of a commotion/POP then others

    bottom line grade 8 is stronger in tensile and shear strength...period

    R E D M E A T </font>
     
  13. crow
    Joined: Apr 27, 2004
    Posts: 474

    crow
    Member

    dunno bout that, Dan, as I said it is confusing to me. I use 8 on everything I can. But have seen em go away before(rockcrawling) and they just snapped bigger n shit, no stretch. Where I've seen a 5 completely fuckin choofed outta shape but it was still in the hole. I say 8 everywhere you can afford it.
     
  14. Crease
    Joined: May 7, 2002
    Posts: 2,878

    Crease
    Member

    Grade 8s will yield at approximately 130,000 pi, grade 5s at about 92. The 5 will fail before the 8 if subjected to the same load. However, the grade 8 will fail more catastrophically when it does. Basically, you will have less, if any warning, because of the brittle nature. Personally, I would use grade 8s. The chances of you noticing that your bolt is shearing isn't good. It is possible to get even stronger alloy bolts, but they are typically most common in shoulder bolts. You will want to stay away from stainless in any high impact situation.
     
  15. GRADY
    Joined: Jun 23, 2002
    Posts: 442

    GRADY
    Member

    In our shop, we always use grade 8 bolts on suspension pieces...they come that way from the factory, not that that should be your only reason [​IMG]
     
  16. Bass
    Joined: Jul 9, 2001
    Posts: 3,354

    Bass
    Member
    from Dallas, TX

    Just a little tip...you can buy Grade 8 bolts at your local Tractor Supply by the pound.

    I put Grade 8 bolts in just about everything now...and since I ride a Triumph, I've learned to Loctite just about everything as well! [​IMG]
     
  17. BoomBoom
    Joined: Jun 17, 2002
    Posts: 875

    BoomBoom
    Member

    For what its worth , Sanderson headers says use grade 8 when installing thier headers.
     
  18. banzaitoyota
    Joined: May 2, 2004
    Posts: 547

    banzaitoyota
    Member

    I recommend you read "Carroll Smith's Nuts, Bolts and Fasteners and Plumbing Handbook " by Carrol Smith. Also known as SCREW TO WIN.

    A plethora of information and how to's INCLUDING riveting and how to PROPERLY make brake lines
     
  19. PetT
    Joined: Dec 2, 2002
    Posts: 53

    PetT
    Member

    I tried hanging an alternator from one bolt on a big Buick motor once.. kept breaking.. Switched to grade 8 and it still broke. Guess the bottom line is, bolts break when used improperly.
     
  20. Rand Man
    Joined: Aug 23, 2004
    Posts: 4,860

    Rand Man
    Member

    I don't have time to write an essay on fasteners today. Ask the automotive bolt experts at www.arp-bolts.com. This subject is too important to go on hearsay.

    I learned the difference in shear force as kid in the hay field. The old square bailers had a shear pin on the flywheel. It was designed to break if a stick or something jammed-up the works. One day I ran out of the regular low grade bolts and replaced it with one with a "bunch of marks" on the head. Later on when the PTO drive shaft twisted in two, guess who was in big trouble.
     

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