How and When to Use an Automotive Washer Fastener? 

Struggling to create dependable connections in your vehicle assembly to stop persistent vibrations or other issues? Automotive washer fasteners are the solution.

As an established supplier of good-quality fasteners, we understand the complexities involved in when and how to properly use these equipment. 

Read on as we provide the tools to secure your vehicle’s structural integrity with washer fasteners.

What Do Washers Do?

Washers are essential mechanical tools that operate together with threaded fasteners such as screws and bolts. 

They play a critical role in the longevity of the component connections in any system through: 

• Spreading the load
• Protecting surfaces
• Absorbing vibrations
• Preventing corrosion
• Sealing against leaks

What is an Automotive Washer?

Automotive washer fasteners are washers that are specifically intended for use in vehicles. 

These washer fasteners improved the dependability of numerous systems or components within the vehicle due to the following: 

• Sealing ability
• Load distribution
• Absorbing vibrations
• Corrosion resistance

Working Principle of Automotive Washer Fastener

Automotive washer fasteners use a variety of techniques to ensure a tight grip on the vehicle’s components that they fasten to.

The following working principles are based on the washer fastener’s specific mechanism:

Load Distribution

Tightened fasteners put pressure on the material’s surface, which can cause deformation without a washer. Washers are often placed between the fasteners and the surface being fastened to act as a cushion, distributing the load across their surface area.

The proper distribution of load is critical in engineering and construction. As a result, washer fasteners spread the clamping force generated by the materials’ fastening, preventing damage. 

Sealing Capability

Washer fasteners that are made of rubber, silicone, or neoprene can serve as effective seals for avoiding fluid and gas leaks.

The washer compresses against the fastener and surface under a variety of pressure and temperature conditions. Thus, washer fasteners are widely used in the automotive industry, notably to ensure the structural integrity of oil and coolant lines in cars.

Friction Enhancement

Several washer fasteners have distinct grip qualities that prevent loosening between the fastener and the surface it binds to, which is typically caused by heat expansion or vibration.

For example, a split lock washer holds the bolt in place by pushing up against the fastener, such as nuts. This caused the fastener to remain tight and prevent rotational movement during vibrations.

Here’s a video to better see how washer fasteners prevent loosening.

How to Use Automotive Washer Fasteners?

Washers are generally required to be under the fastener head, ensuring they are placed between it and the secured surface. 

However, some cases require a different placement. For example, flat washers must be placed beneath the screw head or nut. But lock washers should be put between the flat washers and the nut or screw head. 

To avoid damaging the washer, tighten the fastener slowly; use a torque wrench for precision. While doing so, make sure the washer is securely fastened to the surfaces to effectively spread the weight. 

Always be certain to utilize a washer that fits the size of the fastener to optimize its benefits for your automotive. 

When to Use an Automotive Washer Fastener?

Use automotive washer fastener if you experience these below:

• Corrosion issues
• High vibration conditions
• Fastener-damaging materials
• Fasteners, including bolts and nuts, are loosening from vibration
• Fasteners are frequently subjected to high loads or stress and cause damage to materials.

To achieve the desired level of protection, always examine the sort of automotive washer fastener you will use. Lock washers, for example, are designed to keep fasteners from loosening, whereas flat washers‘ primary role is to equally distribute the weight throughout the material.

8 Different Kinds of Washers for Automotive

Learning when to use a specific type of automotive washer fastener is also important for ensuring that your vehicle receives the necessary protection.

The following are some of the types of washer fasteners and their advantages: 

Flat Washers

This washer fastener has a circular shape with a hole in the middle. Many of them are coated for corrosion resistance, like black oxide, and are frequently made of materials that are:

• Brass
• Plastic
• Stainless steel
  

You can utilize them in these situations because of their capacity to appropriately disperse load:

• General application
• Protecting surfaces
• High vibration conditions
  

Lock Washers

It prevents fasteners like bolts and nuts from loosening. Their design varies from each type:

• Split lock washers: its spiral cut helps create tension up against the fastener to avoid loosening. 
• Tooth Lock Washers: They include teeth to bite into the component surfaces to create a lock. 

So, they’re suitable to use in the following demanding applications: 

• High-stress situations
• High-vibration circumstances
• Constant changes in the weight or force acting on the component

Tension Washers

Tension washers are designed to provide consistent gripping force on the fastener and the material being secured. An specific example of this type is Direct Tension Indicator (DTI) washers.

Aside from simplifying visual inspection to determine if the necessary tension has been reached, as with DTI, it also maintains the needed fastening force in high-stress and thermal expansion applications.

Washer Head Bolts

These distinct types have already incorporated washers under the bolt’s head. An example of this type is flanged hex head screws.

Their threaded design and incorporated washers improve the strength of the fastener’s attachment to the material.

They’re also available in longer bodies, making them suited for chassis and frame connections, and the incorporated washer helps to distribute the load.

T Washers

It is also known as T-slot washers;It was often used with T-nuts, which are vital for component security and load distribution.

This washer fastener is suitable for securing parts, including in vehicle chassis, frames, and any with T-slot framework, as they offer strong mounting with vibration resistance in automotive systems to prevent loosening and performance failures.

Double Hole Washers

They featured two holes rather than one; this allows multiple fastening points.

While their design is not generally used for automotive applications, they give exceptional stability and vibration resistance, making them good for automobile components that require multiple point connections, such as: 

• Frame
• Chassis
  

Hook Washers or Washer with Hooks

They’re specialized strong washer fasteners with distinguished extended hooks or tabs from the washer’s main body.

As a result of their extended body that helps them distribute load over larger areas, they’re suitable for safety applications and vibration-prone areas like:

• Engine mounts
• Steering assemblies
• Suspension systems
  

Big Metal Washers or Fender Washers

This washer fastener, also known as huge flat washers or fender washers, has an increased outer size that distributes the load more evenly and ensures secure connections.

This makes them excellent for automobile components with thin surfaces, such as body panels, as well as vibration-prone places, including engine mounts. 

Should I use both a screw and a washer?

Using both a screw and a washer is recommended because it helps to spread the fastener load, acts as a barrier between two components to prevent corrosion or damage, forms a seal to prevent leaks, and improves connection integrity.

FAQs

1. How do I use a spring washer?
   • To use a spring washer, make sure its gap is facing the bolt or nut before inserting and tightening the fastener. Regular inspections are required to ensure that both maintain their structural integrity. 
2. Where to put the lock washer?
   • The lock washer needs to be put underneath the nut or bolt head. This leads to the washer to be set between the fastener’s head and the surface that it is fastened to. 
3. How Does a Lock Washer Work?
   • Lock washers work by forcing their sharp edges against the fastener and the surface being secured, then deforming to compress themselves even further, leading to a durable locking mechanism.
4. Does the lock washer go on the nut or bolt side?
   • Lock washes typically go on the nut side or under the nut to prevent loosening over time. However, it is critical to examine your application’s requirements. For example, if there is no nut, place it under the bolt’s head. 
5. What’s the difference between a flat washer and a lock washer?
   • The key difference is that flat washers focus on protecting the material’s surface and load distribution, but lock washers have particular teeth or a coiled design to provide better prevention from loosening fasteners. 

Main Takeaways: Washer Fasteners for Automotive

Automotive washer fasteners are essential equipment for maintaining your vehicle’s structural integrity.

Knowing how, when, and what sort of washers are suitable in which scenarios can help you optimize the benefits they give for your automobiles. 

If you’re now on the lookout for a fastener manufacturer with unmatched expertise,CNRL Auto Parts Co. might be your future global partner.

With 30 years of experience, significant R&D, and ISO certifications, CNRL provides not only exceptional fastener solutions, such as washers and nuts, but also the ability to customize products to meet your specific business needs. 

Hence, get a quote now to jumpstart your partnership with China’s prominent leading fastener manufacturer.