Broken Bolt

V

vid2u

Member
HI Guys,l
First of all, yes I know I'm dumb, and the better half has confiscated my torque wrench.

Ok what i have done is I have over tightened one of the three bolts on the front left suspension mount and broken in. :x GRRRR. I have purchased some epoxy weld stuff like jb weld and glued it back on. The bolt still sticks out the top if the housing by about 1/4 of an inch.

Now do I need to get this fixed asap, or can it wait?

Any ideas?

Cheers Richard
 
A bolt is a bolt and it holds things together, if you belive that the epoxy weld is as good as a bolt OK.
For me I would replace and not put my life in the hands of a epoxy weld. :thumbsup:
 
Thanks tj, it's booked in on the 9th of feb to get some work done, will get it fixed then. Is it a big job to replace one of those bolts? :?
 
you have lost a third of the support to you front suspension leg.. all it would take would be a hard knock.

personally i wouldnt drive it; even with the epoxy weld, until its replaced.
 
The two remaining bolts may hold OK but the epoxy weld is giving you cosmetic reassurance only and may make removal a bit more difficult.
Q: Did you torque up the other two? If so they are now under extra tension and will be ready to pop as well (even if you let them off again the integrity of the bolt may have been compromised) :cry:

Just a quick warning if you drive and have a smack with a known suspension defect insurance won't touch you but the Old Bill will, especially if someone's hurt (it's a bit difficult to say you didn't know when the part is covered in 'poxy weld!).Short answer is you need to get it fixed ASAP.

If any of the original bolt is protruding soak it in penetrating oil for a few hours and try a set of vise-grip pliers, if not you are in to drilling out, or use a removal kit from somewhere like Toolstation, I've used them they are cheap and work OK but you do need to take care with setting the pilot hole in to a punch spot and make sure the top surface of the bolt is flat. It's a lot of pi**ing around but works. Or a local garage will not charge a lot and should have the tools. http://www.toolstation.com/documents/catalogue/catalogue38/?hl=51010
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
 
It's not worth the risk, don't drive until bolt is replaced, it is the suspension that holds your wheels on so not worth it IMHO
 
ok..ok... I've rung my mechanic and it's going in on Monday... But does the suspension have to come out?? or can you remove the bolt with taking it out?? (just trying to figure out how many hours it will take him). And thanks so much for your indepth response ewazix.
 
The whole strut will need to be removed to gain access to the bolt.

If the Z is like the other cars i have delt with then inorder to remove the bolt the top mount will need to be removed, so the spring will need to be removed from the shock.
 
vid2u said:
ok..ok... I've rung my mechanic and it's going in on Monday... But does the suspension have to come out?? or can you remove the bolt with taking it out?? (just trying to figure out how many hours it will take him). And thanks so much for your indepth response ewazix.
Click to expand...

If its just the head snapped off then you should be able to remove it, as said above, with a ten quid easy-out kit.
 
ok.. so the plot thickens... It snapped at the top where the nut goes on, and left about 1/4inch thread showing that I can almost screw the nut back onto. So if I'm reading this right U can remove the part that is still in the car (the 1/4inch bit still left) with vice grips or a drill out tool, and then replace it with a new bolt??
 
You've answered my question that I was about to post in that without looking (as mine is under a strut brace) I thought the struts had studs on and retained by nuts??

You need to take the strut off replace the guide support which comes with 3 studs fixed onto it.

Nothing to do with new botls, drilling out, etc., etc.

Parts 1 & 2 on this
http://www.realoem.com/bmw/showparts.do?model=BT52&mospid=47797&btnr=31_0648&hg=31&fg=10

The car shouldn't be driven as you have almost certainly compromised the other studs, although the design means it won't punch through the bonnet
 
:lol: Thanks Guys, I don't mind, at least I know what it is now. Part has been ordered, should be here in about a week, seeing the Mechanic tomorrow. So once again thanks heaps for your help
 
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