::Tech question, need advice ASAP! :!:

Kyle · 03-17-2003, 02:59 AM

Hey all,

I was putting on my struts earlier and everything was going great. I got the springs off the OEM equip and got everything taken care of, put back together and I was pleased to have finished in less that two hours......ANYHOW, I was finishing up, I had the wheels back on the car, it was off the jack stands and I was putting the Strut tower brace back on. I got 5 of the 6 bolts back in place when I started on the left front driver side bolt. I was finger tightening it on when I sliced my thump open. I looked at that nut and noticed a little metal splinter on it. I really didn't think anything of it so I grabbed the torqe wrench and started to torque the last nut. I got it to about 10 ft/lbs when bam, the entire stud snapped off of the top of the strut. WEIRD!! These nuts are supposed to be torqued to 21 ft/lbs and the others were fine. The nut wasn't cross threaded cause it went on effortlessly while I was finger tightening it, and like I said, the stud snapped only under 10 ft/lbs of torque. Anyway, although I AM curious as to why this happened, I really don't care all that much. My real question is what to do to remedy this. I haven't taken the strut back out yet to look at what needs to be replaced. I'll do that when I have the materials that I need.

Question: Is it possible to replace just the stud or will I need to replace the entire peice with all three studs a top the spring seat? Should I go to Saturn to get the part or to a scrap yard? What kinda costs am I lookin at?

The scrap yard kinda scares me for a few reasons but the most important thing to think about is to get the part I'll need to get the car off teh ground and get the wheel off, atleast just to get the whole strut assembly (which I really don't wanna pay for it I don't have to) so that would be pretty labor intensive for a piece of an old car.

ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I need to take care of this TOMORROW (monday)!!

Here is a shot of the strut tower. Please help guys.......

Matt · 03-17-2003, 03:08 AM

I'm sure you could probably get another stud and replace the broken one instead of replacing all three.

jfb · 03-17-2003, 03:10 AM

I remember reading on SatSpeed a while back that someone had snapped one of those bolts. If memory serves, they got a replacement from one of the major auto part chains. My memory says it was around $80. The part price list i got off ebay says the factory price is $65.54

Kevin98SL2 · 03-17-2003, 03:12 AM

Actually this happened to me ...TWICE!

What youll need to do is actually get what they call the strut bearing. thats like the whole piece on the top of the mount there with all 3 bolts. I got mine from Joey, and I actually have an extra sitting here.

Didnt cost all that much..and the car is still driveable with that bolt gone..trust me..drove without it for around 6 months ..lol

TWOLTRSL2 · 03-17-2003, 03:15 AM

If you can replace the stub great. If not, I don't see why you couldn't get one from a junk yard. Just inspect it before buying it.

far_from_sane · 03-17-2003, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevin98SL2

Actually this happened to me ...TWICE!

What youll need to do is actually get what they call the strut bearing. thats like the whole piece on the top of the mount there with all 3 bolts. I got mine from Joey, and I actually have an extra sitting here.

Didnt cost all that much..and the car is still driveable with that bolt gone..trust me..drove without it for around 6 months ..lol

That car in your avatar, I cant get away from it I have been seeing them every where and I want one there ssswweeetttttt