ideola

Now Available for ALL 911s & 912s!
In January, we organized a group buy for Stage8 locking CV bolts for the 924-944-968 platform. It was a HUGE hit, to say the least, with 110 participants in the first round. We are now launching a second round group buy, and are very pleased to announce the availability of locking CV bolts for the entire range of 911s & 912s (as well as all 914s and 928s)! This group buy will run from now through 15 April 2010.

Sizes and Fitment Notations
Across the 911/912 range, there are several different sizes of OEM bolts: M8x50, M10x45, M10x48, M10x55, and M10x60. Additionally, there are several variations in terms of the quantity required, some cars requiring 24, some 16, and some 12. Regarding the M10x48 bolts, the cost of manufacturing odd-increment size bolts is not justifiable (according to Stage8), so there are two options available for these cars: M10x45 or M10x50 bolts. My trans rebuilder, a long-time 914 and 911 enthusiast and PCA member, helped me out with test fitting, and based on the samples we test fitted, we saw no fitment issues using the longer bolts, but I will leave it up to each purchaser to determine which application they prefer. The other variable I encountered is that many 911 owners have upgraded to the 911 Turbo shafts, or may have swapped in different gearboxes, which typically require the larger bolts.

Because there are so many permutations on the 911/912 range, I've put together a convenient application guide to allow you to easily identify the best option based on the model year of your car, or the options it was ordered with or added later. For our group buy, we are limiting the clip and retainer configuration to Stage8's recommenation: the D-style clip (best abutment fitting to the CV boot flange) and the snap ring retainer (full circle engagement eliminates any concern about the retainer flying off at high speed). If you have any questions about what to order, don't hesitate to contact me via PM. I'll do my best to examine PET and your specific car's configuration in order to identify the correct sizing.

Pricing
MSRP: ranges from $53 for set of 12 M8 bolt+clips+retainers to $118 for set of 24 M10 bolts+clips+retainers
Group Buy discount = 25% off MSRP
Group Buy Price = ranges from $39.75 for set of 12 M8 bolt+clips+retainers to $88.50 for set of 24 M10 bolts+clips+retainers
Shipping*: US = $6; Canada = $12.45; ROW = $14.45
*Note: Shipping is via USPS priority mail small flat rate box. We can fit up to two full sets in one box; add'l quantities will result in slightly higher shipping costs.

Ordering
I have set up a special application guide and group buy ordering page on my website:
To order => http://garage.ideola.com/prod-Stage8-GB.html
Please order through this page if possible. Otherwise, send me a PM with the details of your order and I will invoice you via paypal.

Specifications
• Bolts Are Aircraft Quality Grade 12.9 – 4130 Alloy Steel
• Retainers are 5052-H32 Polished Aluminum
• Snap Rings & Clips Are Spring Steel

Background & Product Details
For those that missed the first round, here is a repeat of the details. I worked with Stage8 to develop a locking CV bolt kit for the entire range of 924-944-968 cars. It was such a huge hit, that some 911 and 928 rennlisters contacted me about offering these for their cars too. I did quite a bit of research to investigate all of the permutations across these cars, and came up with 4 additional bolt sizes to accommodate the entire range of 911 and 928 cars, which Stage8 is now geared up to produce. This is truly a brand new offering, never before available for our cars!

Depending on model year and options, the 911/912 applications utilize twenty-four, sixteen or twelve M8 or M10 cheesehead bolts to attach the half shafts at the transaxle stub axles and the outer hubs (six bolts per CV joint). As many of you know, the cheese head bolts are a royal PITA to deal with and will strip out if you're not careful. And for track driven cars, there have been multiple reports of the bolts backing out mid-session with catastrophic results. Many guys are safety wiring their bolts, and this was the approach I was planning to take on my UWB project until a 924board member mentioned Stage8 (for a header bolt application).

The Stage8 system utilizes their patented "GrooveLok" bolt, which has a 12-point head and a special groove in the head. Once the fastener is torqued down, any number of clip shapes are available, which lock onto the 12-point bolt head, and are then retained using either an E-clip or snap ring. Here are some photos using the samples they sent to me installed on a late offset 944 CV joint, boot, and outer stub axle:

Sample M8x65 GrooveLok bolt (the standard 911/912 size would be M8x50, M10x45, M10x48, M10x55, or M10x60)


Teardrop and D-Style clips; snap ring and E-style retainers


D-style clips installed, E-style retainer on left, no retainer on the right (I didn't have a snap ring plier handy when I made these photos)


Teardrop retainers installed (again, no snap rings, but they would normally have the snap rings installed)


Questions? Interest? Let me know!

500

I'm definitely considering this. An excellent idea and more convenient than safety wire.

Do the bolts work with a standard 12-pt socket?

Thanks!

ideola

Absolutely! Would suggest a good quality socket with full engagement characteristics, but yes, just a standard 12-point 8mm or 10mm socket.

Fishbulb

Fantastic stuff. Order placed. Many Thanks!

Diamond Blue

Ideola,

The late 85-89 I believe they only need 12 bolts for the kit as bolts only go on the transmission side as the outer CV is welded to the hub. Those with 85 model year need to check before ordering as early 85's would need 24 bolts.

Nice looking solution

ideola

Diamond Blue, thanks for the info. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe this is reflected on the Application Selection Guide. In the row for 1984-1986, I have the option for the Carrera G15.72/73 => Qty 12, M10x50. I believe the G15.72/73 is the "late" designation to which you refer, whereas above it, G15.67/68 => Qty 24, M10x50 is the early designation. Is this correct? These numbers were pulled directly from PET. I am by no means an expert on the 911 variants, so I certainly appreciate any clarifications or corrections!!!

oldskewel

I'm no expert either, but what you say seems to fit with what I think is right.

I have an '85. Manufacture date is 10/84. Serial number (VIN) ends in 0124. My transaxle is a 915.68 - I think I checked this by reading a stamping off the unit. They changed from the 915.68 to the 915.73 during the 1985 model year. I need 24 screws (6 x 2 x 2) for my car. I don't know about the 67 vs. 68, the 72 vs. 73, or G15 vs. 915, but assume they're all correct. When I looked at your description, with this understanding, it made perfect sense.

theiceman

I can tell you guys from personal experience that C|V bollts DO back out on these cars. especially after any recent cv work or engine worlk where the cv's have been disconnected. This product provides great peace of mind. i rechecked mine after 5\k and found 2 hanging out and a few more just finger tight.
I just used Bellville washers or schnorr washers but this looks like a great solution .

rusnak

yeah..I was just thinking about how these would be better than using loctite, which is what I do now. I am still taking these in and wondering if they're re-usable, cost, etc.

ideola

These are absolutely reusable, they are a non-stretch, grade 12.9 bolt. Definitely better for serviceability than safety wire or loctite!!!

I know some guys have posted that "properly installed" bolts don't back out, but even if you don't buy the locking advantage, the reusability is a huge deal. Some of the 911 OEM bolts are now NLA, and while replacements are relatively cheap at $2 each, who's got a ready stash of extras just lying around? This is one of the things that sold me on Stage8 when I first discovered them (thanks to a 924board member who inquired about their header bolts).

Pricing is obviously variable, depending on whether your 911 needs 12, 16, or 24, and whether it takes the M8 or M10 bolts. The application guide has all of the MSRP listed, and you can deduct 25% off of those prices for the group buy...note that the discount will show up in your shopping cart if you click the "add to cart" button.

Ed Hughes

I never reuse CV bolts, as the stretch is necessary IMO to keep them in. These are said to be non-stretch, but I suppose the locking feature will make up for it. I've got a new set of bolts in my garage for when the engine goes back in....I'm on the fence on this.

rusnak

I almost never re-use them, but I have if the head is still in good shape. I buy the grade 12.9 bolts at Orchard Supply Hardware in varying lengths. The locking feature of these bolts is interesting for sure because I worry about them getting loose.

Diamond Blue

Ideola,

Those are correct. I should have said for the G50 87-89 cars use only 12 bolts as the outside CV is welded to the stub axle. This is from my 88 G50 coupe.

ideola

Answers to a few questions that have come in:

Q: Are the bolts re-usable?
A: YES, absolutely. They are made of 12.9 grade steel.

Q: Looks like I need a special tool to install these?
A: NO, all that is required is a standard 12-point 8mm or 10mm socket. It is highly recommended to use a high-quality socket, as some of the el-cheapos don't provide good engagement at the opening of the socket. Standard snap ring pliers are all that's required for the retainers.

Q: I see that Stage8 provides E-style retainers, and those seem easier to install. Can I order them?
A: Stage8 strongly recommends the use of snap rings for moving applications such as CV joints due to the full circle engagement, even though the risk of losing an E-style retainer is very small.

Q: Are the E-style retainers interchangeable with the snap rings?
A: NO, the E-style retainers require a wider groove in the GrooveLok bolt, so the bolts must be machined differently.

Q: I see that Stage8 offers Teardrop style retainers. Can I order them?
A: SORT OF(!). For the group buy, I am limiting the bolt configuration to D-style clips and snap ring retainers to help simplify the ordering, production, and fulfillment process. However, if you really want some teardrop style retainers, at the bottom of the Application Guide page, you may order 6-paks of extra clips in either the D- or Teardrop shape ($3 per pak less 25%)

Q: I'm worried about losing a bolt or retainer set. How do I get more if I lose one?
A: At the bottom of the Application Guide page, you may order 6-paks of extra bolts ($26 less 25% per 6-count), clips ($3 less 25% per 6-count), and retainers ($3 less 25% per 6-count)

Fishbulb

Call me crazy, or anything worse, but this just seems like a no-brainer to me. Considering the the mild cost of admission (in the grand scheme of things), the reusability, and the fairly bombproof insurance against the potentially heinous cost of bolt back-out, it took me about 3 nanoseconds to pull the trigger on these. I also ordered extra bolts, clips, and retainers which in my estimation is chump change.

I have no affiliation other than being an admirer of good ideas.