Dampner retainer plate bolts

[Danny]

Anyone ever tried to use some generic stock bolts for the dampner retainer plate instead of these one time use soft metal bolts? At least that way you could reuse them. I even tried to reuse the original stock ones but could not get them to torque correctly. It took a closer look in the manual to find out that they are one hit wonders and figured that's why they would not retorque unless this is a common issue?

Danny

[jer0177]

They're going to need the same profile to prevent contact with the flange would be my best guess, and you probably want a bolt softer than the material it's going into so you don't strip out the wheel itself - that would be an expensive mistake.

[Danny]

I'm no engineer but I know I have seen a few post on here maybe they could put in a few words. I agree same profile, depth, thread pitch etc is warranted it just makes sense. My thought/question is what would it matter how tampered the bolts are in comprison to the wheel if you are going to torque them down anyway? I mean 14ftlbs is exactly that. Not trying to start a war just wondering if there may be other options out there to meet the need. If anything maybe this is just one of those hmmm situations...worth some research in my mind however I don't have the knowledge,experience, or backround.

[Ricky-D]

There are probably more reasons for Honda to recommend new bolts for some operations but I feel in the case of these bolts being mentioned here on this thread and also the brake rotor bolts I include in my list, the reason is this.

The bolts come with a thread locker compound already manufacture applied.

If you reuse the old bolts as they are when you remove them, the thread locker compound is compromised and may not even be present in enough quantity to do the proper job.

Honda wants to be sure they are properly thread locker applied. More likely a liability issue with Honda.

That being said, I have no reservations regarding reusing these specific bolts, with a new application of a thread locker compound being applied.

Especially so with the damper plate bolts.

***

[vanagon40]

Those bolts simply keep the retainer plate from rotating.  There is no force to the bolt in any direction.  As long as the bolt does not come loose or prevent the final driven flange from fully seating, I am sure that any bolt that fits would work.

I once said (and still believe) that all five bolts could be removed and single wooden chop stick would hold the plate in place.

Good luck.

[John Schmidt]

I'm with Ricky on this. I've reused those and other bolts any number of times, I just clean them and reapply thread lock with each use. Been about ten years of this practice so far on many different Valks, longer on other bikes with the same factory "requirement."

[Black Dog]

That being said, I have no reservations regarding reusing these specific bolts, with a new application of a thread locker compound being applied.

Especially so with the damper plate bolts.

What Ricky said 

I've reused mine twice (once when moving to custom wheels, and the next time to put Gary's Dampners in), and I'm at 82K with no issues.

Black Dog

[John U.]

I agree regarding reuse of dampener bolts. Seems like the legal dept at Honda may have had some input on the "do not reuse" rule.