Stripped sub-frame nut during RSB install

[MechEnix]

So as the title suggests, I stripped the bastards, the two closer to the ground. (Jamie I already e-mailed you in a panis fyi). I had the torque wrench set to 50, and it never clicked so I kept pushing and then bam, no resistance. I got the one out but there is still one stuck in there, so i need to figure out how to get that out. I'm pretty bitter I flubbed up a car with 3500 miles on it.

I'm thinking I need to get a helicoil kit, and maybe two new bolts, I've hear their M8 grade 8 with pitch 1.25 threads/mm? Does anyone know what spec they are, and what helicoil kit to get for the nuts. Or should I pay someone to grind it off and weld a new nut on?

[motherfnmonsta]

picture of said fail

[Kamaril]

Originally Posted by MechEnix So as the title suggests, I stripped the bastards, the two closer to the ground. (Jamie I already e-mailed you in a panis fyi). I had the torque wrench set to 50, and it never clicked so I kept pushing and then bam, no resistance. I got the one out but there is still one stuck in there, so i need to figure out how to get that out. I'm pretty bitter I flubbed up a car with 3500 miles on it. I'm thinking I need to get a helicoil kit, and maybe two new bolts, I've hear their M8 grade 8 with pitch 1.25 threads/mm? Does anyone know what spec they are, and what helicoil kit to get for the nuts. Or should I pay someone to grind it off and weld a new nut on?

Use an extractor imo and replace bolts. I just replaced a RSB bracket bolt today. M10 1.25 x30mm bolt should do

[JBR]

Got your email...are the nuts stripped, bolts broke or both?

[Kamaril]

stirpped nuts? ouch!

[MechEnix]

Here's the pic, and I think it's the nut that's stripped, not the actual bolt. I'll post a bolt pic in a minute too.

[MechEnix]

And here are the 3 bolts I managed to remove, I may need to replace the two. But, judging from the one I was able to remove, it is most likely the nuts that are stripped not the bolts, unfortunately. A quick glance at the shop manual said to torque these bolts between 30 and 40 ft lb, any reason why the aftermarket RSBs say 50?

[Kamaril]

Originally Posted by MechEnix And here are the 3 bolts I managed to remove, I may need to replace the two. But, judging from the one I was able to remove, it is most likely the nuts that are stripped not the bolts, unfortunately. A quick glance at the shop manual said to torque these bolts between 30 and 40 ft lb, any reason why the aftermarket RSBs say 50?

That top bolt looks like the threads are crushed

[JBR]

If it's the bottom 2, I think you can drill them and use a nut and a longer bolt.

[MechEnix]

Originally Posted by jbarone If it's the bottom 2, I think you can drill them and use a nut and a longer bolt.

There may be enough bolt sticking through, that a nut and washer could suffice, I'd have to go out and check first. However, it would probably be wise just to just bolts with some grip length. A helicoil seems like the most legit way, are you sure they're M10 bolts?

[Kamaril]

Originally Posted by MechEnix There may be enough bolt sticking through, that a nut and washer could suffice, I'd have to go out and check first. However, it would probably be wise just to just bolts with some grip length. A helicoil seems like the most legit way, are you sure they're M10 bolts?

i used the bolt and thread pattern at ricezone(autozone) to make sure the bolt was correct. Matched mine perfectly. M10-1.25 x30mm fit like stock

[MechEnix]

So helicoil it is, anything I need besides two new bolts, a helicoil set, tap wrench, thread lube, drill bit?

What would be the best way to get this bolt out?

[mrmonk7663]

This happened on a friends car. There was enough room to put a bolt, a lock washer, and a nut on there...we didn't have to do anything to the thread. We screwed the bolt in with whatever remaining thereads were left in the stock welded nut, then put a lock washer and nut on it with some blue Loctite. This is a permanent fix and cost a whopping $2. I don't know what length bolt we use...we just got a few from Lowes.

[MechEnix]

Originally Posted by mrmonk7663 This happened on a friends car. There was enough room to put a bolt, a lock washer, and a nut on there...we didn't have to do anything to the thread. We screwed the bolt in with whatever remaining thereads were left in the stock welded nut, then put a lock washer and nut on it with some blue Loctite. This is a permanent fix and cost a whopping $2. I don't know what length bolt we use...we just got a few from Lowes.

Maybe I'll just do this for now, and go with a more "stock" looking fix when it's time to trade in. Now I just need to figure out how to get this last bolt out.

[Downmented]

Judging by that shaving, it appears if you in fact cross threaded that specific bolt. Be careful when doing tightening any bolts, and make sure not to cross thread them or you will end up like this.

[BigRedSpecial]

I did the exact same when I tightened mine. Set the wrench at 40 lb/ft and they stripped before it clicked; The original owner may have fucked them though. In my case it was the bolts, not the nuts.

I'm going to simply try new bolts first; if they don't hold I'll put nuts behind the welded ones.

[MechEnix]

I don't think I crossthreaded them, I started them by hand and they were nice and flush when tightening them down. I think it was simply a matter of overtorquing and crushing the threads.

BigRed: unfortunately for me the car only has 3500 miles on it, so there was no other retard to mess it up before hand, just myself. I wish I had waited for a nice used MS3 instead of going new, cheaper and allows me to have no qualms over modding.

[Kamaril]

Last night I checked and torque the replacement bolt I installed to @jbarone; recommended 50ftlbs. Felt like they were going to snap but they didn't. (thank fuck).

[BigRedSpecial]

Originally Posted by MechEnix BigRed: unfortunately for me the car only has 3500 miles on it, so there was no other retard to mess it up before hand, just myself. I wish I had waited for a nice used MS3 instead of going new, cheaper and allows me to have no qualms over modding.

Anything that can be rectified by adding two new nuts is pretty damn low on the Fuck-Up-O-Meter. Consider it a learning experience.

[MechEnix]

True, but I like things to be perfect.

[manila]

Any luck? My dumbass just did this. @MechEnix;

[MechEnix]

Yea, just grab a new locking but and throw that sucker over the other nut. Hopefully you have enough threads. One of these days I'm going to get under there and take a grinder to the welded nut.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

[manila]

Originally Posted by MechEnix Yea, just grab a new locking but and throw that sucker over the other nut. Hopefully you have enough threads. One of these days I'm going to get under there and take a grinder to the welded nut. Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

Shit should have got a locking nut instead...

[Nitr0EngiE]

Originally Posted by manila Shit should have got a locking nut instead...

Nylon locking nuts are the best damn thing ever invented for shit like this ... and red loctite

I would not even consider helicoils as removing the old nut and putting a new one or even putting it over the old nut will hold much much stronger, i would not want a helicoil that can break free

[Dimenus]

I drilled and retapped the top one. I had a locking nut up there but it was a huge PITA to maintain for someone who lives in the Midwest with our stupid weather patterns (and salt). Also AutoX seems to make it squeak faster.

[manila]

Originally Posted by Nitr0EngiE Nylon locking nuts are the best damn thing ever invented for shit like this ... and red loctite I would not even consider helicoils as removing the old nut and putting a new one or even putting it over the old nut will hold much much stronger, i would not want a helicoil that can break free

Thanks man! I'm def going to pick some up.
The top left RSB bolt is restricting me to get a nut behind. Not too much room to work with and hold a nut while getting the bolt in.

*Forgot to mention I stripped more than one of the welded nuts

[Dimenus]

Originally Posted by manila Thanks man! I'm def going to pick some up. The top left RSB bolt is restricting me to get a nut behind. Not too much room to work with and hold a nut while getting the bolt in. *Forgot to mention I stripped more than one of the welded nuts

Thats why I drilled and re tapped it. Much swearing occurred to even get a nut up there.

Tappin'

[manila]

Originally Posted by Dimenus Thats why I drilled and re tapped it. Much swearing occurred to even get a nut up there. Tappin'

Did you have to drop the rear springs and control arm to get enough room to get a drill in there?

[Dimenus]

Originally Posted by manila Did you have to drop the rear springs and control arm to get enough room to get a drill in there?

Nope.

[Tweaek]

Originally Posted by Dimenus Thats why I drilled and re tapped it. Much swearing occurred to even get a nut up there. Tappin'

My bracket broke and the bolt was a bitch to get out. I ordered new brackets from @jbarone; (great customer service again). Well went to install them today and sure enough putting the bolt back in was tight, them get towards the end and I stripped the bolt and the nut. @Dimenus;, did you use a heli-coil to repair yours? Of course mines the top one as well.

[Dimenus]

Originally Posted by Tweaek My bracket broke and the bolt was a bitch to get out. I ordered new brackets from @jbarone; (great customer service again). Well went to install them today and sure enough putting the bolt back in was tight, them get towards the end and I stripped the bolt and the nut. @Dimenus;, did you use a heli-coil to repair yours? Of course mines the top one as well.

No. I just drilled it to 12MM. I don't think a helicoil will hold that kind of force tbh.

[Tweaek]

Originally Posted by Dimenus No. I just drilled it to 12MM. I don't think a helicoil will hold that kind of force tbh.

Thanks. I was thinking that would be the case.
@jbarone;, can your brackets handle a 12mm or am I going to have to drill that out as well?

[JBR]

Originally Posted by Tweaek Thanks. I was thinking that would be the case. @jbarone;, can your brackets handle a 12mm or am I going to have to drill that out as well?

Brackets will need to be drilled.