Hi Volks,

To dispel any confusion here, pertaining to bolt grades,
A metric bolt marked with 8.8 is actually the equivalent of a grade 5 bolt with american threads.

Metric class 5.8 = grade 2
Metric class 8.8 = grade 5
Metric class 10.9 = grade 8
Metric class 12.9 = ASTM A574

A socket head cap screw is usually stronger than a grade 8 hex head.

These are just the most common ones we are likely to encounter on our Vanagons

Steve Cotsford