yesterday I was taking off the mani heat shield to start looking at where the bolts are and give a spray of wd40 before i put on the zzp mid length/dp combo. i loosened my strut bar to get the extra clearance i needed. when i went to torque the strut bar down, i snapped a bolt. it wasn't overtightened, must have just been a brittle bolt. wasn't even tight yet, and it snapped off with the nut still on it.

so, before I order, I want to make sure this is the only part I need. I'm looking at #9.

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i've never had the front suspension apart. so, my question is should i just get a bolt to replace it, OR do i need to order the whole part.

 

You're probably going to have to order the whole strut but I'm not completely sure on that. Even so, you probably aren't going to want to disassemble a strut anyway (edit: if you haven't done it before, you'll wanna pick up a spring compressor/clamps).

Those bolts are pretty soft, I know of a couple people who broke them.

 

doesn't part #9 detach from everything else though? that's how you get the spring off, isn't it? it's one of the bolts that sticks up into the engine bay. it's not the actual strut that's messed up, it's the part that attaches to the strut above the spring.

 

alright heres the deal D$4s-cant remember the rest of your name.

that whole piece right there is $70. I got it for 45 beause i work at the dealership. They really arent that brittle of a bolt ( I know cause i broke 2). the Torque Spec for those 15 lb ft. Its very important not to go over that or as you know they snap. You can make do with just getting another bolt, but it will be hard to get a socket onto it to tighten it down after you get the bolts through the strut tower.


If you have any questions, let me know, I just went through this yesterday.

 

they call it a strut mount.

thanks. gm parts direct sells it for 39 dollars though i would never go to the dealer for anything that's not warranty, they overcharge like crazy. thanks for the torque specs.

 

Yeah its similar to changing springs, the bolt in the middle is what holds it together.

 

right. so, since it's not attached by anything but that bolt, i guess i can just order the top part and call it a day. it's only 39 dollars so no biggie. thanks for your help.

 

yea , i only know the toruque specs cause my friend ant hear the diffrence between 50 and 15. but yes, just at like your putting the springs on again and that piece will come right off. takes more time to get the wheel off then it does to replace the spring. 39 isnt bad, although mine was 45 because i needed it right away.


btw you can drive with only 2 bolts in it, just take it reallly easy, and it will make weird lunking noises, but youll make it.

 

It makes weird noses because something is wrong, and it SHOULD NOT be like that. Sure you can drive with it, but you're only taking a chance that could possibly leave you MIA.

D, I'm positive you can just order that part.

 

yea, there was no driving difference. i just ordered, will have it whenever it comes. i'm not too worried, the weight of the car keeps it in also. and i'm sure the strut bar helps since it limits the movement and is attached to the other side as well.

i will take it easy just in case till the new part comes though.

thanks for the help guys.

 

yea, you can definatley drive with it, just dont slam it around. I marked it to see if it moved and it moved a very very small bit.

good luck getting it together.

 

take the whole strut apart you can jsut replace the bolt. you will see when its apart.