Steering rack bolts

[MedicPathetic]

Hi everyone, longtime lurker, first time poster.

I just changed the steering rack on my 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 with the 5.9 cummins (24v). The problem is that I had to cut one of the two long bolts that hold the steering rack to the frame, and the other one is in bad shape but salvageable (it's always a bad day when you have to take out the torch, nut splitters, and sawzalls).

When I cut the bolt, I had no idea that it was going to be a huge problem. I have searched the internet on both auto parts places and fastener places and can't find a bolt long enough to work. When I look it up on Mopar, it says discontinued. I'm wondering if there are any newer models that use these long bolts that I could buy one of those part numbers. The part number I need is 6507356AA for the bolt, and 6507143AA for the self-locking nut. They are metric but the bolt measures 9.5 inches long and 5/8 inches in size.

Can anyone offer any help on how to source these bolts?? My only alternative is to get some all-thread and weld a flange nut to the end...If I can find grade 8 all thread. Not really something I want to do on a safety sensitive part like the steering rack.

 

[CharlesinGA]

Junkyard time. As it turns out, the bolt was widely used in the Mopar line. Fits 300, Concorde, Intrepid, LHS, Pacifica, Ram 1500, Ram 2500, Ram 3500 This product fits 411 vehicle variants. Dodge: 4 models, 411 variants between 2000 and 2008.
SCREW. Hex Flange Head. M14x2.00x215.00

M14 Hex BoltSteel Class 10.9 Hard

Charles

 

[Ozymandias]

No huge problem, go to the Bowties

For the bolt, GM Part# 11562019, readily available.
https://parts.gmparts.com/product/g...856,114691,114635,312192,119152,114592,324176

10$ a piece.

And for the nut - buy this one
6508175AA
and bend it to shape.

Credit to @CharlesinGA for giving me the needed information.

 

[MedicPathetic]

No huge problem, go to the Bowties

For the bolt, GM Part# 11562019, readily available.
https://parts.gmparts.com/product/gm-genuine-parts-multi-purpose-bolt-11562019?bac=302969,307773,117808,317990,292471,329765,312856,114691,114635,312192,119152,114592,324176

10$ a piece.

And for the nut - buy this one
6508175AA
and bend it to shape.

Credit to @CharlesinGA for giving me the needed information.

Thanks! This is exactly what I was hoping someone would know! You are a lifesaver!

 

[MedicPathetic]

CharlesinGA and Ozymandias your are lifesavers! I think that bolt may be too long at 39mm, but I can cut it and run a die over it. I put off the rest of the front end job for a week so I can go out there and spray the fasteners every evening with penetrating oil. It took a lot of cursing to get these two out! Cursing myself for not using antiseize last time I did the job!

 

[Ozymandias]

The bolt is 215mm long like yours, the threaded part of it is 39mm long.

 

[MedicPathetic]

The bolt is 215mm long like yours, the threaded part of it is 39mm long.

Ahh yes, I see that now, I saw 39.3 mm and read it as cm. Little bit of difference there. Thanks again!!!

 

[Topzide]

Cursing myself for not using antiseize last time I did the job!

Yes, anti-seize can be you friend, but remember to adjust your torque for using it. Grade 5, multiply by 1.32 extra, and Grade 8 by 1.17.

 

[MedicPathetic]

Well guys, the GM part number came in and it's a little short and a little thin. It was so close! I think i'm just going to go with all-thread and weld some flange bolts on the end. Not really ideal for a steering component. Thanks for the effort though, it was worth the try.

20250305_094537

• MedicPathetic
• Mar 5, 2025

20250305_094515

• MedicPathetic
• Mar 5, 2025

20250305_094436

• MedicPathetic
• Mar 5, 2025

20250305_094444

• MedicPathetic
• Mar 5, 2025
• 1

 

[petersonj]

I think i'm just going to go with all-thread and weld some flange bolts on the end.

Just my personal opinion, but I think this would be a recipe for disaster. Even if you found grade 5 bolts and torqued them to spec, the clamping force is still reduced when compared to grade 8 bolts torqued to spec.

Most all-thread is grade 5 or less. A welded on "flange bolt" will likely further weaken the fastener.

- John

 

[Ozymandias]

Well obviously this isn't the bolt that was said above.

Could you measure it correctly with a caliper and tell us what it is so we can start looking for the real deal.

Because to me it doesn't look like your bolt is an M14 Thread.
What is stamped on the head?

The length would be 240mm in case.
https://belmetric.com/hex-bolts-10-9-m14x2-0-coarse-din-931-933/?sku=BH14X240PBLK

 

[Ozymandias]

Yours looks much more like a 5/8" bolt to me.

https://www.specialty-fasteners.com/5-8-11-Grade-8-p/sku-2930.htm

 

[MedicPathetic]

It measures 5/8 as well. I thought that these trucks were all metric though? As for the calipers, I have to go grab another one since my calipers were given away with my reloading equipment. I think that I may have found one in mopar part #6506555AA. It's for a 1500 but it measures 9.5 inches long and should be the same diameter, it's worth a shot in the dark. I'll try and get a caliper and measure it out tomorrow.

Yours looks much more like a 5/8" bolt to me.

https://www.specialty-fasteners.com/5-8-11-Grade-8-p/sku-2930.htm

 

[MedicPathetic]

The head is stamped with an "O" and 10.9

Yours looks much more like a 5/8" bolt to me.

https://www.specialty-fasteners.com/5-8-11-Grade-8-p/sku-2930.htm

 

[MedicPathetic]

I agree, not the best solution, but I was able to source grade 8 allthread. Tig welding a flange nut on the end wouldn't be the end of the world because it would be there just to hold the nut from turning so that I can tighten it on the other side.

Just my personal opinion, but I think this would be a recipe for disaster. Even if you found grade 5 bolts and torqued them to spec, the clamping force is still reduced when compared to grade 8 bolts torqued to spec.

Most all-thread is grade 5 or less. A welded on "flange bolt" will likely further weaken the fastener.

- John

 

[seafish]

The head is stamped with an "O" and 10.9

Then its definitely a metric size and grade bolt…have you searched McMaster Carr to see if they have it??

They are my go to for any fastener and most hardware and IMO their user interface for sorting results is second to none as well as their customer service.

Use the filters column on the left side of the page to keep refining results, starting with inch vs metric, and also Grade 10.9 but I already did that for you here—

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/s...ngth-metric-class-10-9-steel-hex-head-screws/

 

[User113]

Almost looks like it could be M16. Definitely need to determine the proper size. Many hardware stores have testing standards that you can use to verify the bolt size.

 

[seafish]

Almost looks like it could be M16. Definitely need to determine the proper size. Many hardware stores have testing standards that you can use to verify the bolt size.

That would make sense … the major diameter of an M16 bolt is almost exactly 5/8" or .629"


That said, NO need for any sort of chart or measurements… you can always place the bolt you need agains a sample bolt near the same diameter and of any length…if the threads precisely interlock, that is the size you need to find.

Mcmaster shows partially threaded M18 grade 10.9 bolts available in up to 300mm lengths

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/s...s-10-9-steel-hex-head-screws/thread-size~m16/

 

[MedicPathetic]

Finally got another caliper and measured it. It is 16mm OD on the shank and 9.5 inches long from the flat surface of the flange head.

That would make sense … the major diameter of an M16 bolt is almost exactly 5/8" or .629"


That said, NO need for any sort of chart or measurements… you can always place the bolt you need agains a sample bolt near the same diameter and of any length…if the threads precisely interlock, that is the size you need to find.

Mcmaster shows partially threaded M18 grade 10.9 bolts available in up to 300mm lengths

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/s...s-10-9-steel-hex-head-screws/thread-size~m16/

 

[MedicPathetic]

I think this is the ticket! McMaster Carr. If the ones I ordered for the 1500 don't work out then i'll buy from them. Strange that I looked at them before and could not find one long enough on their site. Either way, thanks for all the help y'all.

Then its definitely a metric size and grade bolt…have you searched McMaster Carr to see if they have it??

They are my go to for any fastener and most hardware and IMO their user interface for sorting results is second to none as well as their customer service.

Use the filters column on the left side of the page to keep refining results, starting with inch vs metric, and also Grade 10.9 but I already did that for you here—

https://www.mcmaster.com/products/s...ngth-metric-class-10-9-steel-hex-head-screws/