Which way does this bolt goes?

FWIRC the bolt is illustrated correctly. The end with the nut has a special washer to help clear the link and bushing.

 

I think Wayne is correct, I've got two 1979 cars, on both the bolt goes from the front to back. For what it's worth, seems obvious that bolt 21 in the parts diagram (Front suspension, Upper A-arm, inner, rear position) is shown backwards as well. See picture, my bolt has a shoulder under the head, from an loading standpoint, it would make sense that this raised shoulder goes to the hardened center-ground bushing in the dog-bone link to the sway bar.
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Clarification: I meant to say I believe the illustration is not correct for both bolts 12 and 21.

Apologies Wayne, I’m saying opposite of your post.

To Mike’s question, does it matter? I like your point that it would make independent removal of the sway bar link much easier, but I don’t like breaking from general practice of nuts to the rear for suspension components.

 

yes I agree - reversal of direction from print - anyway there is a special washer with a cone shape to help clear the end link.....

 

In EITHER stock or not case make sure there isn't a radius where it meets the endlink or the Heim. That could be the reason it goes through "backward" with the nut on the endlink side. A stress riser can occur and pop off the bolt head.

sjd

 

Since the heim joint also has the hardened center I think you're good, but I would consider two things: 1- Place a thin hardened washer under the nut, and (maybe more importantly) consider a nicely fitting hardened washer under the shoulder of the head. It seems to me the hardened bolt shoulder could compress into the (relatively) soft A-arm metal, with the concentrated force.

 

Mike- Regarding the rear dog bone link mounts, the diagram attached is from Table 39 (of Cat 189/80) showing the "conical shim" part number 32 (circled) going under the nut. Attached are pics from my 1979 USA GTS, the rear A-arm has a "built-in" conical feature with a landing to interface to the center-ground bushing in the dog-bone link.

It's interesting, the diagram from both the 1980 book (Cat 189/80 on Tav 39) and the early 308 GTB parts book from 1976 (Cat 129/76 on Tav 37) show 2 conical shims, one on each side of the link bushing. But, in the corresponding parts lists with quantities, the later 1980 308 GTB/GTS book specifies only 2 conical shims total (i.e. one per side), whereas the earlier 1976 308 GTB book specifies a total quantity 4 shims (i.e. two per side).

Based on my 1980 part book quantity of two total, my 1979 lower A-arm design feature, and what I disassembled, I'm confident the one per side goes under the nut... at least on my car. Let me know your thoughts, what year & market car is yours?
Paul
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((but I don’t like breaking from general practice of nuts to the rear for suspension components.))

Is that assuming that, if you lose the nut the bolt has a chance to "maybe" stay in place?

 

Barring other design considerations, I believe that nuts are typically to the rear for various reasons: 1- Reduced chance of road debris thread damage, making disassembly more challenging, 2- Front threads have increased possibility of capturing road debris, 3- Possibly less corrosion, and 4- Aerodynamics. I also agree with you, my sense is that if you lose a nut, the bolt <may> have an improved chance to stay in place. (disclaimer: I'm not a suspension engineer)

 

Mike- Looks great...I like the heim joint washers!
If easy, I'd be interested to hear what year car yours is, and how the rear lower control arm dog-bone mounting ears are configured (i.e. a conical landing, or does it require one of the conical washers on the inside (front), then the dog-bone, then another conical washer and nut?)

 

Thanks Mike, bingo... you're second pic is (what I think) correct.