shearhead bolts - steering column

[zaq123]

I removed those shearhead bolts for the easy dash removal. Was struggling with the dash for 2 hrs, trying not to break the thing. 20min of "quality" time removing shear head bolts, slight drop of the steering column and the dash just came out.

Any reason to put the same OEM bolt back in there? What's their purpose? How does that head shears off, final torque when installing?

[bangn]

just replace them with 8.8/high tensile flange head bolts

[e30davie]

I have always thought the shear head bolts were there for security. But the more i think about it the more i think it cant be for security of the car from being stolen, but perhaps it is security from "enthusiasts" tampering with the steering system and not putting it back properly and crashing and burning.

Final torque is tight enough so they dont ever come undone by themselves. Almost might be worth a dab of locktite if you have some handy.

[zaq123]

I don't see their security value as well. The whole design of that bolt assembly is interesting: metal sleave/spacer with white plastic guide bushing. Trying to understand the though process...

[88BlackS-ETA]

When I removed mine, I replaced them with regular bolts so if I need to drop it in the future its easy. The reason I removed mine was because I wanted to drop the steering wheel a little so it was lower but turned out to block to many lights on my gauge cluster so I put it back to stock height.

[bangn]

its just an added security measure, so if its stolen someone cant just swap the collumn out of another car and claim the car as their own

[roguetoaster]

its just an added security measure, so if its stolen someone cant just swap the collumn out of another car and claim the car as their own

?

Anyone that would steal a car, swap a steering column, and claim it as their own would probably own a grinder or a drill.

[JimmyP]

Remember the thought process behind those bolts was conceived by the same great minds that conceived the SI Board.

[Maddog]

I believe the shear bolts are to break during a collision.

[zaq123]

I believe the shear bolts are to break during a collision.

I'd say those bolts are 8.8 strength as a min. They are called shear bolts because the actual socket head shears off once torqued making them tamper proof.

[Seawolf]

Those shearbolts are intended to stop folks from hot wiring your car, unbolting the steering column and driving away....with the column unbolted you can drive the car turning the whole steering column - makes for an interesting driving experience.

Easiest way to get them out is drill and hammer a torx bit into the hole, takes 10 mins tops.