"Nut and bolt" - what to check and when

[Boulder69]

A few posts on this site and others have discussed component failures such as ball joint nuts, wheel bearings, etc. and has got me thinking a bit. I have noticed a few more rattles, squeeks, and other noises cropping up over the summer as I have been driving the hell out of my Camaro quite often.

I am interested in what others do as far as common "Nut and bolt" stuff to check and tighten as far as safety goes.

I am also interested in what the non-safety related nuisance noises you guys run into and how you fix them. I need new door glass felts, tracks etc. for sure because they rattle. My dash/dash panel interface seems to have some annoying buzzing that i cannot get rid of long term. You know, this kind of stuff.

[68sixspeed]

I run through all the suspension hardware, brake hardware, shifter, headers, motor accessories, basically everything that is important or vibrates. (headers, oil pan, alternator, etc.) Brake bolts seem to be chronic for backing out, so they are safety wired; also after having a shifter mounting plate loose 2 bolts on the highway, thos are safety wired too. -Dan

[CarlC]

If I'm working on something, everything around it gets a check.

I also nut-and--bolt before every track day.

I too have a nasty dash squeek that does not want to go away. The last one was caused by a broken welded tab that holds the top and bottom sections of the dash together. It took months to find that one since it would not squeek except when driving.

[6'9"Witha69]

Who doesn't have the dash squeak?! Mine only does it in gear @ idle.

Main things I check annually (some before any track/event use):
Ball joints
Wheel bearings
Idler arm mount
Pitman arm Nut
all links in between
Swar bar mounts and end links
subframe mounts
Motor and trans mounts
Bellhousing
Cooler lines
Engine accesories
Radiator mounts
Spring eye mounting perches, axle to spring mount and rear shackles
Steering wheel
Steering column @ ragjoint, firewall and base of dash

That is all I can remeber w/o my checklist @ home.

[Given2Fly]

don't forget the lug nuts!

[chicane67]

"Nut and bolt" - what to check and when

Anything you can put a wrench on. Especially... anything steering and suspension.

[surlyjoe]

yeah all of the above and don't forget to check leaf spring eyes for cracks. our 67 bird had cracks/breaks right through on the front on both sides. good thing it has traction bars because I think that was all that was holding the leafs in. scared me when I found that for sure. since been replaced of course.