ive used longer bolts with a different thread pitch but ive used nylock nuts on the back because the standard threads were knackered

my only worry really is the lengths and if they need unthreaded shafts, I bought my beam bolts off ebay with high tensile strength, then wondered as im having sway aways welded in ive notice shims but have no idea what they are and as ive got standard length will I need shims and longer bolts?

Have you had the swayaways done yet?
If its to lower the front end only, my preference is dropped spindles= less issues IMO.

H

they're half way to being done, being new to it I didn't know what dropped spindles done but now I do but I wasn't sure how low I wanted to go, my neighbour does air ride so was possibly going to go for that

vw also used imperial size fittings on beetles to help confuse matters on a car from a metric country.

That's cool Snoop, I didn't know that, just out of interest, any idea where they were used on the Beetle?

[6 Pots...stuff your bhp, torque is king]

Theres a company called Volksolts on ebay.....they will do replacement bolts for pretty much anything on a beetle, including entire kits.

Might be worth checking them out.

http://myworld.ebay.co.uk/volksbolts/

To add to the metric imperial debate...   if you measure any of the important chassis dims you get either an exact amount in inches or a half inch amount in comparison to some of the odd mm measurements.   So it was obviously designed in inches   
As for bolts, I used to buy from specialist manufacturers, but most of the stuff we use now is from screwfix, they do just about everything to the correct grade and length - except the beam bolts.  Great range of washers too.   Steer clear of stainless bolts if you expect the bolt to have to do any work. 

vw also used imperial size fittings on beetles to help confuse matters on a car from a metric country.

That's cool Snoop, I didn't know that, just out of interest, any idea where they were used on the Beetle?

The only imperial threads on a Beetle (apart from a few fastners on very early 1940s KDF Wagens) are the seatbelt mounts where unf is the world standard.

Enough info to get me started, got a screwfix and fastenings place close by so i'll get a shopping list sorted then get going on it. getting twitchy seeing all your buggies,