This has been a rough week. The plastic throw out/release bearing in my NV3500 literally exploded.(I'll see if it will let me attach the photo) It apparently came from a clutch kit from Autozone.

It is a Ram 1500 with the 3.9L V6. I limped it over to a buddy of mines house and we wrestled with it until we finally got the transmission out. He recommended that I get the Flywheel resurfaced while we had everything apart and that the flywheel bolts shouldn't be reused.

I called the local Chrysler/Dodge dealerships looking for the flywheel bolts and the clutch fork(it was severely damaged by the catastrophic failure of the release bearing. They had the fork in stock, but they no longer make, stock, nor can order the flywheel bolts.

I found a web site mopar parts overstock that carried the bolts, but they came back to me today and said they can't order the bolts from Chrysler...rinse and repeat for the 3 other sites that I could find listings for the bolt.

Am I missing something in the searching?

The bolt part #: 06036143aa, 00192356, and/or 06030536

Bolt Name/Spec: Screw. hex head locking. 18x1.00

A general and specific(make, model, year for compatibility) on eBay turned up this listing: www.ebay.com/itm/151159494981

These bolts according to the compatibility listing these bolts should work, but they have no actual specifications of the actual bolts to see if they would work. The seller so far hasn't answered me back on the question of compatibility, though I am hoping to hear back from them tonight.

The part # of these bolts are: 6035626

Which is just one number off from bolts listed for my flywheel. A search of this part number yielded just one other listing: www.ebay.com/itm/111281864185

That listing says the bolts are not compatible with my flywheel, but again gives no specification beyond the part numbers.

Can someone give me some guidance on what and where to look? Torque specs for the bolts would be good.

 

Fastenal should be able to get them. There is a local Fastenal store here and they have no issue ordering odd bolts or nuts. You can also order online, too. I'm assuming that the bolts are 18mm x 1.00 pitch, but how long are they? Also, what grade (hardness) bolt is needed (eg: grade 5, grade 8, etc.)?

 

Erm, why wouldn't you re-use flywheel bolts? I have never replaced those on any clutch job.... Not like they are anything special, they aren't locking, they aren't torque-to-yield..... Just put 'em back in there. Use a little blue locktite if you are nervous about them coming out.

 

This.

 

I agree with this, too. Unless your original bolts are seriously damaged, there is no reason to not re-use them, along with a bit of Loctite to keep them in-place.

 

The op is following the right path.

From the 2001 FSM, page 330.

Clean the crankshaft flange before mounting the flywheel. Dirt and grease on the flange surface may **** the flywheel causing excessive run out. Use new bolts when remounting a flywheel and secure the bolts with Mopart Lock And Seal. Tighten flywheel bolts to specified torque only. Over tightening can distort the flywheel hub causing run out.

Just another part number to add to the NLA list I have going.

 

Really? Wow. That's a new one. Wonder what their reasoning is there......

 

The reason I was told it is a good idea to replace the bolts is that they are constantly under strain and torque from the engine/Flywhee and have a tendency to stretch and warp, and the strain of removing them(one we had to remove with a impact wrench) can weaken the bolts even further. Basically all the the same reasons for replacing the bolts in your heads when you remove them.

I don't really know anything about cars, though I'm fairly mechanically inclined. I'm miming this information from my betters in this regard.

@AtomicDog Thank you for the Fastenal tip. I don't know what grade they are or need to be. I have found zero info in the FSM or anything online to the spec of the bolts or there torque specifications.

 

Take one with you to the hardware store. (Fastenall here only sells in bulk.... need six? here, I have a bag of 50....) They can match up the size/threads etc, and give you what you need. Get grade 8 bolts. Torque spec should be in the FSM.

 

Might want to try this place.
https://www.suburbanbolt.com/our_products.asp