close-up on a white background a lot of different new nuts and bolts for car wheels
What makes a car? This question is simple but, at the same time, challenging. When you encounter such a question, the first thing to cross your mind will be the engine, wheels, bumper, and steering wheel, among other parts. You might fail to remember the small components used to assemble bigger ones: the fasteners.
Without fasteners, engine components can’t be connected, the wheels can’t stay in place, and the steering wheel will be useless. Thanks to these tiny components, your larger car components can be assembled easily and work harmoniously to put together a well-functioning vehicle.
Types Of Car Fasteners Based On Material
There are two types of car fasteners as far as the material is concerned: metal and plastic. Metal fasteners are made from aluminum or iron. Most car fasteners, such as springs, bolts, nuts, and screws, are metal. Metal fasteners are more durable than plastic ones. They’re also reusable and can hold heavy parts and engine components in place for an extended period if installed correctly. In most cases, bolts are coated with zinc for maximum durability and protection against rust.
Plastic fasteners are also common in the automotive world. Some connectors, washers, pins, and spacers are made from plastic or rubber. Unfortunately, plastic fasteners aren’t as durable as metal ones. They’re manufactured to be used once and aren’t recommended to be used again once removed.
Most Common Car Fasteners And Their Uses
There are various car fasteners in the automotive field. Among the most common include:
Cotter pins and fasteners are vital for securing bolts and other fasteners. They’re installed into bolts to prevent loosening and falling off. Bolts attached to vibrating car parts are more likely to wear off as time passes. In such cases, the bolts can come loose or fall off. Fortunately, with cotter pins, you can secure such bolts and prevent them from loosening further or coming off. It goes without saying how dangerous loose car parts can be.
Clamps are also members of the car fasteners family. They help secure tubes and hoses. The better quality and durable ones are made of metal and come with screws to tighten the clamp and hold the hose tightly. Nevertheless, some clamps are made of plastic. However, metal clamps are more common, and you’re likely to find at least one in every car.
These are flat discs with holes at the center. Washers come in various sizes to be used along bolts of different sizes. They secure and enhance bolts’ pressure to prevent leakage and tighten the components. Washers are vital components in fastening car parts and can be either made of metal, plastic, or rubber.
A typical car carries hundreds of bolts and nuts. Every part of a car requires particular bolts to remain secured. Bolts and nuts are used to secure engine parts, dashboards, wheels, doors, wipers, and other car parts. While bolts and nuts might appear simple and insignificant, without them, there would be no properly functioning car. Billions of bolts and nuts are manufactured daily to meet the high demand that comes with high automobile manufacturing.
Clips are used in modern cars. They’re easy to use and come in different designs for different purposes. They’re made either of metal or plastic. Primarily, metal clips are used to secure a car’s exterior trim or interior panels. Plastic clips are mainly used to secure plastic bumpers. Depending on the material they’re made from, clips can be reused.
Primarily, screws are used to position and tighten components. As screw heads differ in size, they require different tightening tools to fasten. Similar to bolts and nuts, screws are made of metal and are commonly used in the automotive world.
Auto springs are the connection between the wheels and the car body. As you drive through different roads, springs absorb the effect of up and down movements to ensure you have a smooth drive. Springs come in various types, including coil springs, leaf springs, lowered springs, and coil over springs. While these springs are different in form, they all have one thing in common: absorbing bumpy effects on a vehicle for a comfortable drive.
Besides being used in vehicle manufacturing, rivets are used during mechanical repairs to hold metal or plastic components together. Rivets are made from metal and plastic materials. Metal rivets are suitable for holding two metal components, while plastic ones are suitable for plastic bumpers. Once used, rivets can’t be reused.
Conclusion
Vehicles are made by assembling different parts and components. For vehicle parts such as engine components to stay tightly connected, they require fasteners. Car fasteners are made from metal and plastic and come in different types and sizes for various uses. Although some fasteners are small, without them, there’d be no cars. The information above provides you with enough insights to help you understand different car fasteners and their uses.