Replacing strut bolts
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From: Orlando
Replacing strut bolts
Alright so as I was installing the SSC springs I bought. I went to take unbolt the bolts that hold the strut assembly up into the engine bay. And yeah... I totally sheared off one of the bolts. I am currently riding on 2 strut bolts instead of 3. So I called some of the sources to get another bolt or replace that plate that has all 3 bolts. And they said I would have to replace the entire plate. I was curious as to if anyone had any ideas on how to replace that plate that has the bolts sticking out of it and into the engine bay. Thanks!
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Last edited by 207GT04; Jul 30, 2007 at 02:44 PM. Reason: Automerged Doublepost
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Joined: 12-17-05
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From: Orlando
Well when I sheared that one off it was the first bolt on that strut tower, and I knew that they were tight because the ones on the passenger side were real tight before I started to mess with them. So my knuckle headed friend already turned the ratchet on loosen and I didnt realize that cause we were talkin or whatever and I just tightend it till it sheared off. So lesson learned pay attention to what the crap your doing!
Well when I sheared that one off it was the first bolt on that strut tower, and I knew that they were tight because the ones on the passenger side were real tight before I started to mess with them. So my knuckle headed friend already turned the ratchet on loosen and I didnt realize that cause we were talkin or whatever and I just tightend it till it sheared off. So lesson learned pay attention to what the crap your doing!
someone didn't read the how to...
I did the same thing when I did mine, I thought i would tighten it up with an impact. turns out 1,000 ft/lb IR impact is stronger than a little stud.
Its a simple fix if you have the right tools, if not you better hope you know someone with the right tools. if not you'll have to buy a new plate thing-a-ma-bob.
What you do is remove the plate from the strut, and put it in a vice as best as you can, its a tricky bugger. (Is that how you spell bugger?) then you take a torch, if you don't have an oxy/accetlying torch its ok, but its going to be a lot harder. don't even waste your time with a propane torch. heat the metal around the stud till its red, be careful not to touch it. It looks like it would feel warm and fuzzy like a cute little red bunny rabbit, but its not. This is the fun part. take the biggest hammer you can find (within reason) and a punch. then drive the remains of the stud out. This could also be done with a press, but its not nearly as much fun as playing with fire and a hammer.
Next thing to do is take the remains of the stud and go to an auto parts store or hardware store and get yourself a bolt of the same diameter. if you can get the same length, great. if not, its not the end of the world. I would suggest you pick up 6 grade 8 bolts and do all of them at the same time just so you never have to go through this again.
The next step is the most important. You cannot screw this up or you will ruin everything. Its EXTREMELY important. So important i should spell extreme with an X. on your way home stop by the liquor store and pick up some beer. I recommend a wheat beer or hefenweisen since its probably going to be hot and those are great warm weather beers. Skinny Dip from New Belgium is an Xcellent choice for this Xtremely important step.
Get home and see if the stud will fit into the hole without much force. if it does, crack open the beer. If it doesn't, crack open the beer and heat the plate untill its glowing again, the bolt should drop in, you might have to smack it with a hammer a little. Again you can use a press, or even screw it in, but whats the fun in that.
Next thing you need, Let me say that again. you NEED to weld the bolt in place. if you don't you can get it tight with a pair of vice grips but when it comes time to take it off you will wish you had welded the bolt. So weld the freekin bolt. Its ok if you don't know how to, you have beer, remember.
Thats really all there is to it. don't drive the car until the beer has worn off, I don't want to be responsible for you running over your neighbors kids brand new kitten she got for her birthday 2 days ago.
I did the same thing when I did mine, I thought i would tighten it up with an impact. turns out 1,000 ft/lb IR impact is stronger than a little stud.
Its a simple fix if you have the right tools, if not you better hope you know someone with the right tools. if not you'll have to buy a new plate thing-a-ma-bob.
What you do is remove the plate from the strut, and put it in a vice as best as you can, its a tricky bugger. (Is that how you spell bugger?) then you take a torch, if you don't have an oxy/accetlying torch its ok, but its going to be a lot harder. don't even waste your time with a propane torch. heat the metal around the stud till its red, be careful not to touch it. It looks like it would feel warm and fuzzy like a cute little red bunny rabbit, but its not. This is the fun part. take the biggest hammer you can find (within reason) and a punch. then drive the remains of the stud out. This could also be done with a press, but its not nearly as much fun as playing with fire and a hammer.
Next thing to do is take the remains of the stud and go to an auto parts store or hardware store and get yourself a bolt of the same diameter. if you can get the same length, great. if not, its not the end of the world. I would suggest you pick up 6 grade 8 bolts and do all of them at the same time just so you never have to go through this again.
The next step is the most important. You cannot screw this up or you will ruin everything. Its EXTREMELY important. So important i should spell extreme with an X. on your way home stop by the liquor store and pick up some beer. I recommend a wheat beer or hefenweisen since its probably going to be hot and those are great warm weather beers. Skinny Dip from New Belgium is an Xcellent choice for this Xtremely important step.
Get home and see if the stud will fit into the hole without much force. if it does, crack open the beer. If it doesn't, crack open the beer and heat the plate untill its glowing again, the bolt should drop in, you might have to smack it with a hammer a little. Again you can use a press, or even screw it in, but whats the fun in that.
Next thing you need, Let me say that again. you NEED to weld the bolt in place. if you don't you can get it tight with a pair of vice grips but when it comes time to take it off you will wish you had welded the bolt. So weld the freekin bolt. Its ok if you don't know how to, you have beer, remember.
Thats really all there is to it. don't drive the car until the beer has worn off, I don't want to be responsible for you running over your neighbors kids brand new kitten she got for her birthday 2 days ago.
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