9 Different Types Of Automotive Fasteners And Their Uses

Machines and vehicles have a lot of moving parts. Besides, every machine functions in a certain way with its engine, body, and other parts to ensure optimal performance.
The parts you don’t often hear talked about are fasteners. Fasteners join or bring together various automotive parts. You could say that they’re the glue that holds things together, no matter how big or small.
You may not consider them much, but they play a significant role. For example, if one screw falls off, others may loosen as well, resulting in damage. That’s why worn-out screws, bolts, and other fasteners need timely replacement.
Here are the different types of automotive fasteners and their uses.

1. Nuts

Typically, nuts are used together with bolts. Their purpose is to bring and hold two or more parts together. They’re commonly used in automotive vehicles to fasten things like tires and springs. They come in different shapes and sizes. Examples of nuts are cap nuts, square nuts, ring nuts, hexagonal nuts, and flange nuts. Ensure you use the correct nut because using an incompatible one with the bolt can lead to damage.

2. Bolts

Bolts may be the most used out of all the fasteners on this list. They also come in different shapes and sizes and are regularly used together with nuts. A bolt is a thin metal rod with threads. Some examples are the t-head bolt, hook bolt, countersunk head bolt, and square head bolt, among others. However, bolts like eye and carriage bolts don’t necessarily work in conjunction with nuts or screws. There are also bolts used to fasten round objects like pipes, like U-bolts.

3. Bearings
Bearings come in different shapes and sizes, too. Most machines need bearings to function well because they reduce friction between the machines’ moving parts. Therefore, bearings play a significant role in determining the efficiency of a system or machine. Some examples are roller bearings, ball bearings, and wide inner bearings. However, before you buy any bearing, get the facts straight about them, or else you’ll make a wrong purchase.

4. Screws
Screws join different objects or parts together, just like bolts. However, they’re smaller in diameter. Screws have threads and a sharp tip designed to penetrate hard surfaces, whereas bolts tend to have flatter tips. Examples of screws are deck screws, drywall screws, machine screws, masonry screws, and sheet metal screws, among others.

5. Washers
Washers help tighten the fastened bolt or nut. They’re inserted in between the nut and bolt to keep them tight and make unscrewing later on easier. They’re also used with screws. Additionally, they protect the area under the washer from damage.
Flat washers distribute the load of the bolt or screw. Meanwhile, spring washers prevent excess vibration from the bolt or screw, which may loosen them. Other examples are shoulder, split, fender, conical, and torque.

6. Rivets
Rivets join sheets together permanently; hence, they’re also called permanent fasteners that you can only use once. Examples of rivets are snap head, hollow head, pinhead, and flat head.
All rivets comprise a head, body, and tail. Rivets are usually made from steel, but other materials, like brass, can also be used.

7. Anchors
Anchors are fasteners that metaphorically have the same function as that of the anchor of a boat. They prevent parts or the frame from moving or collapsing. They anchor the object you’re trying to hold in one place, be it a bolt, screw, or something else. Common types of anchors are screw, hollow wall, and pin.

8. Nails
Nails are metal spikes usually punched into wood or sheet to bring parts together. They are like screws, but without threads on their body. Hence, they have to be pushed into the surface to bind two or more items together. Examples of nails are common, drywall, and box.

9. Inserts
Inserts are also known as thread bushings. You can use them in many applications, so they’re versatile fasteners. Their chief purpose is to create strong and long-lasting bonds between materials. Like washers, they also distribute the load. Examples of inserts are dowel pins, key stocks, and threaded.

Conclusion
The fastener types presented in this article highlight the main ones in the automotive industry. Because there are several options to choose from in the market, it may be challenging to choose the right one for your machine or vehicle. Yet it’s always good to consult with an expert, like a mechanic, if you’re unsure about your decision. Overall, make sure you buy reliable, high-quality fasteners so you won’t have to deal with any issues along the way.