HUGE PROBLEM (i think) PLEASE PLEASE HELP ME- merry xmas

[KurT5]

HUGE PROBLEM!!!

Installing my OMP strut brace for xmas and as i was installing it (and no i didnt use a mallet to knock things into fitting) but one of the bolts from the strut mount busted sheer off! Im not sure what i can do. I can see clear into the wheel well. I have to go to work and my family is the "i told you so type" so im trying to think how to fix the situation. and also i have to work m-f and no shop is open to do work on my car so im really boned. So i was thinking get the same size bolt and nut up both ends (but idk if it will stick out to the point where it could interupt other things. or also find a bolt with a flat head back and use that to slide up from the base then tighten down the top like a mount does. Also can i drive on it with 2 outa the 3 botls from the strut mount? !!!!!



Is the mount suposed to have a gap like this on the inside? i could not get it to go flat (i do have washers on it if that makes it worse. also how do i tighten it down without sheering off another damn mount cause then im super funked



Oh and i put the washers back on as well is that a yes or a no go?

I did not over torque them or anything but now im afraid to bust off any more cause then im really f*cked

[Ozark Lee]

As I recall the bolts are press fitted into the bearing plate. I see a couple of options:

Try to whack the broken bolt out with a hammer and a punch or just drill it out. If you do the latter I think I would be inclined to use a small bit first for a pilot hole followed by a larger bit.

Once it is out you can replace it with a nut and bolt but it is very tight near the top of the shock tower and getting the new bolt in will be a B-I-itch. I have used sewing thread to pull up bolts from below in similar circumstances.

You can drive the car but don't get on it hard. With only two bolts in the strut mount the top of the shock tower will want to bend and deform.

Merry Christmas,

...Lee

[KurT5]

SOLVED!!! YAY. okay so my first thought was to get a similar lag bolt with a flat bottome ill take a pic later but i just wiggled my hand up slid it on bolted it down and presto- its glorious and i love the strut brace thank you all oohh and PS leave the washers on or off?

[Sailing_Faith]

The flat washers on the studs that secure the bearing plate are only there to distribute the clamping force across a bigger area. Whichever studs your brace goes over do not require washers. (Like the bracket on the drivers side, it takes the place of the washers).

I doubt you will have any problems with one broken stud, I would not leave it that way, but would not be afraid to drive on it.

I know these braces are popular, but I wonder if anyone who is actually using one can honestly say that the car handles any different with it? The body seems pretty solid, and the strut mounts are pretty well tied into the firewall so it does not seem to me like braces would do much... ? (Other then that cool 'street racer' thing when you open the hood of you Volvo...)

[KurT5]

That was my solution. Minimal stickout-ness so that the spring seat wont rub on it. SS strong as sh*t. just wiggled my hand up there slipped it in and tightened to 28 ft/lb like im suposed to.

The bar does make a noticable difference. I feel that the car is more level or flat going through corners there is less shutter going around corners seeing as both struts are controlled together. It does look nice but i was actually going for more useful rather than honda-ification.

The install was a breeze.
-People recomend to knock bolts around and blah blah to make it fit and thats a definate no no (i sheered off a bolt not even trying).
-Get 2 jacks, place them under both sides of the car.
-I moved the bracket from the fuse box and then placed the driver (fixed) side on first and that took a little finageling.
-As you slowly raise the side your working on it will fit easier and easier.
-After one side is done do not tighten them solid just get them close to snug.
-Drop that side and jack up the passenger side.
-Use a rubber mallet to knock the adjustable side to where it seems to be flush.
-From there center the brace over the bolts and then drop it down.
-If you need some extra room jack the driver side up slowly until it fits easier.
-Tighten by hand.
-Lower car
-28 ft/lbs each bolt
-Enjoy

Just as a funny side note my mother asked my friend what this actually does to my car. his lovely responce was... "its so he can take on/off ramps at like 60 plus". He was slapped, but i will test the theory and get back to you