What Are Automotive Fasteners and Their Different Types?

When developing products for use in the automotive industry, engineers sometimes fail to consider all of the possible fastener options. Engineers without experience in the field may have difficulty locating an appropriate fastener. Automotive fasteners can be used by engineers to make temporary joints that can be easily disassembled. There are several ways in which a fastener for a motor vehicle might improve its functionality. For example, this hardware equipment provides touchpoints for the removal of panels for access to internal equipment for servicing or maintenance of automotive applications.

Types of automotive fasteners –

While practically any type of automotive fastener can be utilized in an automotive application, some are used more frequently than others. Some of these are listed below, along with illustrations of how they are used in the automotive industry–

Nuts –

This may feature interior or female threading. In automotive applications, these can often be used to secure the attachment of the bolts and screws to a given surface. For example, lug nuts are auto-specific nuts that fit over bolts and help an individual in their daily life, i.e., attaching the wheel of a vehicle to its axle.

Bolts –

These are externally threaded automotive fasteners. These are designed for insertion through holes in assembled components. These automotive fasteners are known for having great versatility, strength, and durability. When it comes to automotive applications, various bolt subtypes are seen most frequently, including –

. Hex head bolts – i.e., feature six-sided hex caps on one end.

. Hex flange bolts – Feature washers on the underside of their hex heads, which helps distribute the force from bearing loads more efficiently and adequately.

. Carriage bolts – Feature reduced body diameters and domes, i.e., enlarged heads.

. Place bolts – Feature self-locking, free-spinning hex heads that may heavily prevent loosening due to vibration.

. Wheel bolts – Feature threaded bodies and tapered heads that match the wheel inserts.

Rivets –

This is an automotive fastener that has a head on one end and a stem, sometimes known as a tail, on the other. This type of automobile fastener may aid in the formation of a durable bond with a clean outside surface. These are simple to install and do not require any additional tools. These can be made of corrosion-resistant materials such as aluminum and stainless steel to ensure long-term use.

Washers –

These are usually small, flat discs with holes in their centers. In automotive applications, these can be used to hold several bolts, which in turn can help prevent leakage, distribute pressure, and secure radiators.

Studs –

These are externally threaded fasteners that look and operate similarly as in the case of threaded bars. These are threaded at both ends, thus allowing individuals to pair them with nuts. For example, one of the most common stud subtypes that are used in automotive applications is the wheel stud.

Screws –

These are externally threaded fasteners that can be joined with a preformed internal thread in the automotive application. One can easily lose standard screws during operation in the automotive application. When these are unfastened, they remain securely attached to the outer panel of the automotive application. This type of fastener may have a spring ejection and self-aligning float that help for easy user installation.