I'd read where several people have had their nuts come off their rear arm bolts causing terrible accidents when the arm comes loose. I don't want to have this happen to me. What is the best way? Bolt,with lock washers on each end of the bolt with a standard nut? Nylon inserted nut? What torque specs? Thanks so much!

Factory nuts I have removed from rear lower control arms are lock nuts and cant come off unless completely taken off with a wrench. They are peened over at the outer opening so even if they somehow were not tightened all the way they still wouldnt come off. I suspect people are using hardware store stuff that isnt a true lock nut, maybe just a nut and lockwasher.

I always use NEW grade 8 bolts, a nylock nut, and red locktite. Be sure the bolt is long enough that it extends fully thru the nut.
Never had a problem...
I consider the factory "crimp nuts" a one time use item. I suppose replacements are still available thru your local GM parts counter.

The all steel self locking nuts that GM used are common and can probably be bought through Brafasco or other nut and bolt places for less than GM. Along with red loctite they certainly won't come off.

Prevailing torque nuts as they are called sometimes are available just about anywhere. Never have seen a need for locktite when this type of nut is used.

Originally posted by David_Bates:
Prevailing torque nuts as they are called sometimes are available just about anywhere. Never have seen a need for locktite when this type of nut is used. I'd also add in 15 years of doing suspension for a living I've never seen one of these nuts "back off" all by itself.

i have 4.5" long grade 8 13-unc bolts with prevailing nuts, and also red locktite. i didnt want them things falling off while driving. so far 2k miles later, and still good (knock on wood).

aaron

I had an upper control arm nut back off and lose the bolt. Caused some odd handling. I checked the other 7 nuts and all were properly tight. It was pretty weird. Up till that happened, I would completely agree with Dennis68; they should never come off by themselves.

..I believe there was an incident awhile back where some bolts backed off on a Southside Machine bars set up and caused the car to roll..

Yeah I saw that.... that's what has me wigged out. To heck with the car, it's just a car... but I don't want me, my family or friends to die b/c of a little nut and bolt.