I find myself short some crank bolt washers. I bought several Sugino bolts sans washers a couple years ago. The Stronglight 93 crank for my PX-10 was fixed to its spindle without washers. So I need some washers. Can I just run down to the hardware store and buy something of the right size, or has some magic pixie dust been sprinkled on crank bolt washers?

Fine, as long as it fits.

+1 but I would spring for SS.

Take a bolt with you and an arm.
You will find that there is a good chance you need a bigger hole but the outside diameter is the problem. They are a bit thicker too.
AN washers might work.

short answer: I concur with the other esteemed folks... I'm not aware of any other unique requirements for washers for crank bolts. Finding one with the correct ID and OD might be easier said than done. I think I'd make measurements at home and bring calipers along to the store..

thread digression: do Sugino bolts fit the Stronglight threads? Their crank bolts were odd, in that they used 16mm bolt heads. I just assumed that they used an odd bolt thread too.

Steve in Peoria

Thanks for the responses. Glad to know there's nothing special about them other than the ID, OD and thickness. <wink>

Actually, the threads are standard. In fact, when I took the crank apart, the bolts had already been replaced with generic 15mm bolts (sans washers). Unfortunately, I mangled one of them a bit. The dust caps were not at all interested in coming off, so I wound it drilling a couple holes in them so I could use a pair of needle nose pliers as a pin wrench. On one side, I wound up drilling into the bolt head. I've never seen a Stronglight 16mm bolt before, but my guess is it's got a bit thinner head. Generic 15mm bolts seem to be a bit of a tight squeeze under the dust cap. That might explain why the washers were removed.

A bit thicker and smaller outer diameter than regular 8mm washers.

It needs grease anyways for the bolt. Grreasing both sides won't hurt anything. Non-stainless steel greased will hold up just fine and only really OC folks will ever know the difference. (I have never tracked the washer materials I've ridden, but probably spent 90% of my ~200k miles on non-stainless crank washers.)

Edit: Thick, yes. If you have a drill press and proper vise, you can buy a smaller washer to fit the outside diameter and drill it out for the bolt. This wouod open up your options when you get to the hardware store.

Ben

Just be sure and remove them before trying to take the crank off!

And if you have any trouble making the hardware store washers work, I've got some spare pixie dust for sale.