Replacement load pin for axle stand

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

I seem to have lost the load pin of one of my axle stands.

A quick Google search has not revealed anywhere that sells suitable replacements, and it seems a waste to junk a perfectly good stand.

Does anyone know where I can buy a proper replacement intended for the purpose?

Alternatively, is there a sensible and safe way of improvising a pin? Would a decent quality bolt be up to the job, and would you trust it?

I'm only lifting a light car (just over 1000kg), and the stand would only be bearing a fraction of that - but safety is kinda important!

Any sensible advice gratefully received!

[crossy67]

A bolt would be fine. Try to get an automotive one with a shoulder on it, these tend to be higher tensile but still a bit ductile, not hard like a drill bit.

[kev b]

I did this decades ago, a couple of wishbone bolts with the heads drilled to take a bit of string, they have stood the test of time. They are marked 8.8 on the top iirc.

[Dr Mike Oxgreen]

Great, thanks guys!

Just wanted to make sure I didn't do anything stoopid and risk my life.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

an 8.8 rating bolt of equivilant size will be fine, any harder and you risk shearing, any softer and it may bend or deform.

[Twink1598]

Even a grade 4.6 12mm bolt has a double shear capacity of 1350 Kg, just make sure you use a bolt (unthreaded grip length) not a set screw (Fully threaded) as whilst even the threaded portion of a 12mm bolt will be fine for axle stand loading, the threads will bite into the supporting hole surface.

[phillpot]

doogz said:

What do you mean by harder?

I suspect the op is referring to tensile strength (he mentions 8.8), imho any 12mm bolt, unless it's made of chocolate, would be ok I think I have some cheapy stands with a 10mm pin, the weight involved is not going to shear it and there is no leverage between inner and outer tube to bend it.

I've seen old screwdrivers, pushrods and goodness knows what used in the past (but I wouldn't recommend either) !

[S0 What]

TBH 4 of my 6 pairs of axle stands use bolts, the pins allways go missing

[Petrolhead_Rich]

doogz said:

Petrolhead_Rich said:

an 8.8 rating bolt of equivalent size will be fine, any harder and you risk shearing, any softer and it may bend or deform.

What do you mean by harder?

DO you mean stronger? Or are you actually talking about hardness?

I'm actually talking about hardness, 12.9 rated metric bolts for example shear whereas an 8.8 bolt with the same horizontal or vertical loading would deform and are less likely to shear (based on my practical experience).