[TheSilverBuick]

Almost every rear end I've done has been with used gears and I re-used the bolts that were in my carrier when I swapped them over. The only time I actually put new bolts in was when I used a ring gear spacer and it came with new longer bolts. Then I ended up re-using them when I changed the gears out a few years later.

[gtobird]

Originally Posted by TheSilverBuick

Almost every rear end I've done has been with used gears and I re-used the bolts that were in my carrier when I swapped them over. The only time I actually put new bolts in was when I used a ring gear spacer and it came with new longer bolts. Then I ended up re-using them when I changed the gears out a few years later.

I appreciate the responses from everyone. I have never had anyone tell me they actually broke the bolts in a "non-racing" application. I fully understand the bolts stretch when installed, but unless they were over torqued or in the prior installation they were abused, I can't see how there would be a problem.

I'm probably going to live dangerously and re-use them.... if for no other reason, I just want to prove to myself this isn't an issue. When I look at our hobby today, I hear about all of the things we HAVE to do in building our cars, yet I recall 40 years ago when I had little money and built everything with discarded parts I scrounged from friends. In my old age I'm not much of a daredevil, so I guess I have to enjoy this kind of a big risk... LOL

OJ