Drive shaft bolts, do they need washers?

As per the title. I changed the cv boots on one of my drive shafts, but when I removed the shaft, the bolts are spline drive not allen key, which is no issue. They have the bridging tabs, but no washers on the bolts. I have a full set of spare bolts with washers from the scrap camper I stripped. So should I fit washers to all the bolts on the driveshafts, I assume the washers may stop them coming loose.
Cheers

 

Yes! The serrated belleville washers stop the bolts coming undone. You need new ones, as they’re conical before they’re squashed.

Plenty on eBay.

 

Great stuff, will do, cheers

 

Search for schnorr washer

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The Schnorr washers start life flat and are quite hard with lots of surface teeth.
If you have to reuse them they dont seem to be altered much by spending time under bolt heads.
But its best to buy new, especially buying them at sensible prices in bags of 25 off fastenings suppliers rather than singly with scene tax, although I have reused mine when I took the CV joints off to change wheel bearings or boots.

Main thing is to torque them up, the 12 point ones are better at taking torque.
The bolts plus plates are acting as springs so there can be movement there hence needing the washers to lock it.

A few years back somebody did the Hardknott Pass in the Lake District in their bus and the CV joints came off . Probably no washers or not enough torque on the fasteners..

In the real world, they dont come undone..

 

Unfortunately, I just sent an order off to Just Kampers yesterday morning for the extra two driveshaft boots, so I didn’t include washers, but I’m happy to look out for a bigger bag on eBay or the like. I’ll do a search. £1.20 per washer seemed a bit steep when you need 24 but hey ho. I’ll look at the ones on the spare bolts and see if they are any good. Anyone got a link to the correct ones?

The next dilemma is whether I should have used the domed washer under the circlip to hold the CV on. Some say yes and some say VW say not to. I realise I am possibly overthinking this, but I hate doing jobs twice.
Thank you for all the help so far.

 

Think they're M8's

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/183941712119



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VW did delete the end washer. You’ll likely never manage to get it on, which is presumably why they deleted it.

My driveshafts have been on 10 years without them, and they’ve been fine. The shafts can’t go anywhere, anyway.

 

They look about right. I bought similar. Much cheaper than JK ones Slightly conical, and squish flat.

The bolts don’t have to be done up super tight - 28 ft lbs, from memory. They don’t come undone.

 

Kaye's fasteners just round corner from me in Ossett is a good place for such stuff .

 

Thanks for the link I've just ordered them

 

Kay’s have everything! My fave supplier.

 

And you all the way in Hampshire, mind I walked to the shop the other day and they are not open to walk in customers due to the virus , it would cost me £5 postage for six bolts to be delivered about four hundred yards ?

 

If you get them from their eBay shop, it’s free postage

I’ve even ordered stuff from them on my phone while lying under the van

 

Limited quantity remaining! So I just ordered them quick.

 

Just like Allied Carpets!

 

Flat ?

 

Conical.

 

They have flat top and bottom and a tapered profile.

So they dont squash like many other lock washer designs. Their teeth bite in to the softer bolts and washers.

 

Ok, the washers arrived pretty quick, and they are dished, and better than the dodgy old ones on the crusty spare bolts, so I’m glad I ordered them. The additional drive shaft gaiters came from Just Kampers, which are way better quality than the ones I put on the other side! And came with bolts clips and grease. No idea where I got the others from, but I think I will be replacing them again in a year or so. The plan is to sort the other driveshaft and fit the new washers over the weekend and then hopefully that’s most of the work done. Thank you for the help everyone. Now all I need to do is figure out the front chassis outrigger. There will be a new thread starting shortly.