fwiw ,,,I have not called and checked...
but I would hope or expect that a smart VW dealer parts person can supply
this nut for just  few dollars.

nuts and bolts from the dealer or often very reasonably priced.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David Beierl" <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, April 13, 2011 5:33 PM
Subject: Re: Upper Control Arm Nut Grade Matter?

> At 01:39 PM 4/13/2011, neil n wrote:
>>Does the nut grade matter much in this application?  I suspect not,
>>but double checking.
>
> Any time you've got an assigned torque, it was assigned with a
> specific grade of fastener in mind.  So yes, it does matter.*  But
> knowing the size and thread you can use a bolt torque calculator on
> the web to figure out the grade that is high-likelihood what they had
> in mind.  And I would guess it's probably 8.8.
>
> http://www.google.com/search?q=bolt+torque+calculator
>
> *Prime example is the axle nut - if you still have the old axle nuts
> with six slots you're supposed to toss them next time they come off
> and replace with the ten-slot ones; because if you tighten the old
> ones to the new spec you'll probably wipe the threads.  Similar issue
> with alternator pivot bolt on diesels.  And conversely if you don't
> tighten the nut sufficiently for the grade of bolt, the bolt can
> break, so you can't be *too* far off in either direction.
>
> Yrs,
> d