ok check out what I (********) did....

I was taking off my stock strut tower bar in the engine bay to paint it. Well, I got it painted, tried putting it back on and couldnt get the bolt back in the hole it came from......Well, being the patient and rational man that I am, I took a hammer to the bolt and proceeded to beat the hell out of it. Well, naturally the bolt broke in the hole and I cant get it out now...and even if I did get it out, I dont think the hole is going to be quite the same. Is their anyway to get the thing rethreaded? Or am I screwed?

 

Yes.

 

That's no way to treat a FairLady!! Can anyone help this guy out??

 

The broken bolt you should be able to get out with an EZ Out, ask for one at Sears. If you just broke a bolt you should be fine, if you hurt the treads you can always re-tap it but may have to increase the size of the threaded hole and hope you have enough metal to work with.

Adjust the threaded part of the strut bar to get it to go on with out the hammer treatment. Over all you should be fine, hope your new paint is ok.

 

Gary to the rescue!! Thanks!

 

Hey young lady how are you? Have a fun and safe 4th of July.

 

Before you removed the strut bar, did you loosen the nut on it about 1¾ turns? If you don't loosen the nut to take the tension off the bar, once you remove the mounting bolts, it relaxes. When you go to put it back on, as you discovered, the bolts won't go back in the holes. Try loosening the nut on the strut bar before attempting to bolt it back on.

 

yeah the stock STB is adjustable... you want to take some of that tension off... it will have to be adjusted before you put it back on for it to fit anyway...

did you break the stud that sticks up? if so, thats not replaceable...

 

YES, that was the reply I was looking for. That helps me big time. Going out to the garage right now with my new bolt out and tap and die kit.

 

Glad I could help. Look at the bright side of this, you have some new tools now. Let us know how you make out.

Gary

 

Nuts are not Nails! Please do not use a hammer~

 

Jesus H Christopher !! FIRST: All Z privleges have been revoked for 30 days--Put ur hands in the air and back AWAY from the garage! SECOND: 30 days community service at the puppy pound --If u can get through 30 days without crushing or hammering a puppy u have made progress.
Actually above recommondations will work --No great harm done-----No where near the harm done- when I was 15 and tryed to find a fuel leak on my snowmobile using a cig. lighter- At least I was warm standing in the middle of that lake while help came

 

Sure wouldnt want you to use a hammer on my nuts!!

 

Since he called himself ******** he may have tried that as well.

Takes a pretty brave soul to tell a story like this...LOL

Seriously - hope you get it fixed soon...

 

What Color did you paint it Ben?

 

Tackett's new name is now HOMER SIMPSON!!! Just Kidding... Never get frustrated when working on cars!

 

If retapping doesn't work, you can always use a helicoil.

 

damn rednecks from west virginia... always breaking stuff when they drink too much...

just kiddin man, i used to live in WV when i was a kid, then moved out to california after 11th grade-

i still root for WVU and THE HERD when they show on tv-