Quick Help/Opinion: Who has re-used bolts to secure Cam shafts vs Getting New ones?

[Aronis]

Hi

I am trying to avoid another 3 hour trip to get more parts.

I have been told people do reuse the "stretch bolts" for the cam shafts.

Anyone have experience with this?

It's another $87 so not a big price but just trying to figure out if it is really necessary, more for my own understanding

Mike

[AndyRS6]

I did reuse cam and VC bolts on A6 4.2 3 year ago and in
RS6.


Andriy

[mrdave]

I reused the cam cap bolts on the S6. The torque is only about 7ft-lbs so I didn't see a huge need to replace. Also the S6 doesn't get driven very hard. However, if I go in there again I will probably get new bolts.

Now if we're talking RS6, I'd probably replace those just to be safe. Higher heat and stress and whatnot.

[hahnmgh63]

I did new bolts on mine. For the price I didn't want to take a chance on one breaking and if it popped up and was rolling around in the cam housing it wouldn't be good. Plus I don't plan on ever having to replace the adjusters again

[Aronis]

I got the bolts....was just curious if it is really necessary......

Thanks for the info.

Mike

[Bigglezworth]

I put new bolts in for each of the rides I have done the work on. Rod bolts head bolts, bearing cap bolts, flywheel bolts. They all get replaced. All other bolts are reusuable IMO irrespective of what the manuals say. Rotating parts responsible for generating the power no question.

[GreggPDX]

I'm just about to do mine as well. I ordered the Blauparts kit, does anyone know if they are included?

[GreggPDX]

I'm just about to do mine as well. I ordered the Blauparts kit, does anyone know if they are included?

I'll answer my own question: no.

I found the bolts on the site: http://1stvwparts.com/

$.74 each and they had plenty.

[CBeau]

I personally would never re-use any torque-to-yield fastener. They are designed to be tightened beyond the elasticity of the fastener metal and to stretch and become permanently elongated, allowing for a clamping force greater than the actual torque put on it during tightening thus reducing the fatigue on the fastener. They are used in high fatigue high vibration areas and re-using an already stretched one would do the opposite of its engineered purpose, in other words all else equal - hardness etc. -you'd be better off reusing a non-stretch bolt in that place than a stretch bolt. They're engineered that way and selected for use in areas specifically susceptible to fatigue for a good reason... not worth the potential experiential learning exercise IMO.

[415RS6]

Do you happen to have the part number for the bolts can't seem to find them.

Thanks!

I'll answer my own question: no.

I found the bolts on the site: http://1stvwparts.com/

$.74 each and they had plenty.

[415RS6]

Nevermind found it on the other thread WHT002015

Do you happen to have the part number for the bolts can't seem to find them.

Thanks!

[Aronis]

I was surprised that some have reused these! LOL...

Mike

[lswing]

I was surprised that some have reused these! LOL...

Mike

Not sure if the shop used new bolts on mine last year...hmmm. Can I get a pic of the general area with the VC off? Maybe put new bolts in next time we're in there?

[Aronis]

26 per side.



Mike

[Aronis]

I have not presented all the clear evidence that I have found that these CCT were never changed in 2012, now that he went through three Torc's Bits removing the ORIGINAL BOLTs on the cam shaft mounts I think he is rethinking his memory!

Mike