Date: Sun, 18 Jun 2000 00:50:16 -0400
Reply-To: Marc Perdue <marcperdue@adelphia.net>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Marc Perdue <marcperdue@adelphia.net>
Subject: Re: Shear Bolts?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
I got the old shear bolts out with the good old vise grips. I'd probably just
go ahead and stick the old ones back in except for Karl's comments regarding the
safety issue. If I buy new ones, for safety's sake, what kind of a tool is used
to tighten them up? Do they have a regular hex head that twists off at the
proper torque or something?
Thanks for all your great help everyone,
Marc Perdue
Karl Wolz wrote:
> My understanding is that the bolts shear off at a particular torque to meet
> safety requirements. If under-tightened, they will work loose and you'll
> have the steering column flopping around in your lap. If over-tightened, in
> the event of a front end collision, they will not allow the steering column
> to move and you will be at risk of greater bodily harm.
>
> Karl Wolz
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Patrick Bryson" <patrickb@extremezone.com>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Friday, June 16, 2000 3:42 PM
> Subject: Re: Shear Bolts?
>
> > Marc,
> > 1. Shear bolts are bolts with a gripping head that breaks off at a
> specific
> > torque. I believe this is done as a theft deterrent.
> > 2. Replace with new shear bolts from dealer or FLAPS.
> > 3. I don't know a specific procedure but I would start with a small drill
> > and move up until at least the head of the bolt is gone. You have to be
> > careful not to damage the threads in the mating components.
> >
> > That is all I know. Best of luck
> > Patrick
> > '85 Westy
> >
> >
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Marc Perdue <marcperdue@adelphia.net>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Saturday, June 17, 2000 11:52 AM
> > Subject: Shear Bolts?
> >
> >
> > > Hi all,
> > >
> > > I'm in the middle of removing my dash to fix the heater blower fan
> > > bearings, and a few other things long as I'm in there. On page 70.5 of
> > > my Bentley manual (for my '87 Westy), the instructions say that, in
> > > order to get the steering column out, I need to drill out the shear
> > > bolts that attach it just below the ignition switch.
> > >
> > > My questions:
> > > 1. What are shear bolts?
> > > 2. If I drill these out, what do I replace them with and where do I get
> > > them?
> > > 3. What is the recommended procedure for doing this? Any particular
> > > size constraints on the drill bit?
> > > 4. Are they like rivets where you use a small bit to drill out the
> > > center then the rest just comes apart?
> > > 5. Is there a special tool that is required to re-install these shear
> > > bolts?
> > >
> > > Think I'll go install the speakers in the front doors while I await word
> > > from you all. I'd hate to think of drilling those shear bolts out just
> > > to find that I'd need to take the van somewhere to get them replaced . .
> > > . :^)
> > >
> > > Thanks all,
> > > Marc Perdue
> > >
> >
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