Bake82 Posted August 26, 2007 Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 Well I was trying to torque down my subframe bolts, and apparently my torque wrench doesn't work properly, and I snapped one of the bolts. the driver's side rear bolt. Anybody know how I can get this out? I have the little rubber piece out, and can see the top bolt and where it screws into. My first thought was to just cut the little bracket off and then take out the bolt and the holder the bolt sits in, but then I realized I can't do that because the holder will just spin freely and then I won't be able to put the bolt back in.... I NEED this broken bolt out. Any ideas on how to get it out? Unfortunetly I can not get a vice grip on the broken piece, only needles nose pliers and they don't work very well to get that bolt out! Thanks!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy K Posted August 26, 2007 Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 on my lumina, I pulled the carpet back, anfd cut a 3 sided hole and lifted the flap of metal up exposing the nut/retainer. I then used a spare bolt I had, stuck it though the mount so the bolt was pressed against the busted bolt. then I used a hydraulic jack lift the car by the spare bolt. This put all the weight of the car on the spot welds that hold the nut cage and POP! free. I used a compatible nut I had found placed atop a washer made of a piece of 1/4 plate steel with the OEM frame bolt going through like mormal. once everything was reinstalled, the hole flap was bent in place and RTVd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 26, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 26, 2007 Hmm...Interesting. Thanks for the tip! I never ever though of using a different washer/nut. I know exactly what I'm going to do now!! thanks for the tip!! I will definetly need to find the BIGGEST washer the store has LOL... thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stockgp Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 there is a little access cover in the engine bay to access that area. can you get vice grips in there? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pontiac6KSTEAWD Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Drill a hole in the bolt thru the dead center of it. Then use an easy out to get it out. put new bolt in, using a new TRQ wrench. and your done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GP1138 Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Drill a hole in the bolt thru the dead center of it. Then use an easy out to get it out. put new bolt in, using a new TRQ wrench. and your done. Uh... I don't know if you've ever attempted this. I used plenty of different drill bits, and that bolt did not budge. I broke one... I didn't have the knowhow or the means to fix it at the time and just drove it.. ended up breaking another one around 500mi later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R Dubya Posted August 27, 2007 Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 well if he just re-installed it it might break loose with an easy out. then again, it might not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 27, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2007 Drill a hole in the bolt thru the dead center of it. Then use an easy out to get it out. put new bolt in, using a new TRQ wrench. and your done. Uh... I don't know if you've ever attempted this. I used plenty of different drill bits, and that bolt did not budge. I broke one... I didn't have the knowhow or the means to fix it at the time and just drove it.. ended up breaking another one around 500mi later. LOL...I won't be doing that(driving around with 3 subframe bolts.) The easy out Idea is what I'm going to try, and then I'm going to go buy 4 new bolts from GM. If the easy out idea doesn't work, then I wil be using the air chisel to knock off the mounting plate and then use washer/nut idea of Ken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 thanks guys for the help. The fucker came out. I hated to do it, but I had to cut a small hole in the floor of the car...pretty mad about it, but there was nothing I could do. the Easy out DID NOT work, this was my only option. Oh well, nobody will ever know, I'll paint up the hole, and RTV the shit out of the holes to patch it back up. Lesson learnt...never try to torque 19 yr old bolts to 100 ft/lbs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
White93z34 Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 no no the REAL lesson that should be learned is that new subframe bolts are not that expensive and worth every bit of the $4.77 each. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 no no the REAL lesson that should be learned is that new subframe bolts are not that expensive and worth every bit of the $4.77 each. LOL...THAT TOO!! Cost me $30 bucks for 5 of them...for whatever reason they come in packs of 5.....but well worth it... And honestly I NEVER ever thought about new ones.....should have but lesson learnt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Ball Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 I should invest in these too. I still have to put that 3.4 front sway bar on. First I need to get my car back from the shop. Than buy those bolts and goto work. So you got the bolts out fine, just when you torqued them they snapped? Did the bolts look bad? I think I'm in the same boat as you cause we had the same problem with the trailing arms bolts. They just didnt come out at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CSI_MuNkY Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 Jason, the problem you had with the trailing arm bolts is probably the same problem I had. The bolt seized to the metal sleeve inside the rubber bushing. Once that sleeve broke free of the rubber it would turn but not come through the hole. Good to hear you got it out Kyle... maybe now you can get back on track! Jamie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 28, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 The bolts came OUT fine, they looked to be in good shape, but broke when torqueing it. OH well, dilema solved, and now I unfortunetly have a hole in my floor, but nothing I could do. Hopefullyu this will now put me back on track with the project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Q-Ball Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 Where did you have to cut? any pics by chance? I would just be worried if moisture was getting through. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1990lumina Posted August 28, 2007 Report Share Posted August 28, 2007 If you seal it up properly I wouldn't worry about the small hole. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bake82 Posted August 29, 2007 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 If you seal it up properly I wouldn't worry about the small hole. Nope, I'm not worried. I painted all the inside, and exposed metal. I will be sealing it properly and it won't be an issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
intern8tion9l Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 damn that all sucks man, i was wondering how the project was coming along. i thought i would have snapped mine taking them out, cause they were friggin in there. but all went well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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