I was trying to install my grounding kit today. I got about as far as taking off the engine cover and the one bolt on the left just in front of the strut bar. To my dismay I noticed, after I took of the third bolt as the front of the engine cover has "studs" that are are fastened with "caps", all the bolts have broken off.

I'm not sure if Nissan assembled the bolts with a special "glue" like loctite or if the bolts are simply made from part plastic, but I am furious!!!

Has anybody else had this happen to them or heard about this happening? I'm guessing that all bolts in the engine are the same way - easily broken.

Thanks

 

I had no problems with those bolts. They didn't appear to me to have any loctite on them IIRC. If the stud broke and a portion of the stud is still in the engine you will need to get something called and "Easy Out". You simply drill a small hole in the stud and use the "Easy Out" to remove it.

 

thanks teh215. I will be going to a Nissan dealership tomorrow to find out why they broke and hopefully have them take those bolts out and just put on the grounding kit. I'm thinking since 100% of the removed screws broke, any other screws I remove will do the same thing... there are a lot of screws to be taken apart in this assembly. I wonder how much the dealership will charge me for all of this. If they try to charge me an arm and a leg, then I will definetly try your suggestion. Thanks

 

Sorry did not read your post correctly. I thought you were talking about the strut bolts. Now that my mistake has been pointed out to me, I'll provide my correct comments.

I have removed and replaced every ugly green bolt from my engine compartment and did not break one.

Very odd that you are having this much trouble. Are you using hand tools or air tools? Just curious.

 

I don't think that he was remoing the strut bar, just using its location to describe the bolt he had a problem with. Correct me if I am wrong. BTW, I would not take this to the dealer to do, it is an easy job you can do. PM me if you want more info...

 

I am using hand tools. And that is correct teh215, I was using the strut bar to describe the location of that particular screw.

 

Well I went over to a few Nissan dealerships and they all quoted me about the same. Starting off would be $245.00 and then just depending if the screws will come out by themselves and still leave thread. If not, then they will have to re-thread the holes and at the same time make them bigger - that will run around $300.00

Every guy I spoke with told that this would be a very sensitive job since they would be drilling through a bolt that is harnessed by aluminum (contracts and expands easily). Hence, the dealerships told me it would take them all day to do. I'm thinking that is just their logic to charge more.

I found an auto shop that will do it for $165.00 tops and they warranty their work. They told me it should take them 2 hours to do + the guy I spoke to said he has many years of experience doing such labor so even though it is sensitive, he should have no problems.

Saturday I will take the Z to a nearby race shop and have them install the grounding kit for $80.00. Even though they've been in business for a while, this will be the first grounding kit they will be installing on a 350Z. He even asked me if I had directions. Should I worry?

 

Do you have a picture of what you broke and how it looks?
I can't figure out how you broke bolts?

 

I also would like to see what they look like. I'm in Sachse and would be glad to give you a hand on the weekend. Is it the two studs that the engine cover is held on to in the front with nuts? Or other bolts? If so which ones.

A picture would help.

Which ground kit do you have?
I have a good bit of experience with these as well.

 

Sorry about not posting a picture guys. Yeh a picture would really help, but my camera is not digital so I couldn't post it up + my scanner is inoperable right now. The bolts that I broke are located ( as your standing facing the car with hood open) two in rear that are holding the engine cover, and one more bolt on the left of the left broken bolt which holds the engine cover.

I have the InSaNeMiNe grounding kit.

Z327, have you heard of Concept Racing on 15th street and Independence? Are they any good?

By the way, thank you for your offer of helping me out over the weekend, but I think I might incure more costs if I keep messing with it my self.

I have been pondering for three days how I broke those bolts and it seems like I will never figure this out. I think this just might be the 8th wonder of the modern world

 

The dealers told me that I should have sprayed some kinda lubricant on the screws and let them sit for two hours or so before trying to take them out.

I'm thinking of trying it again this weekend with the lubricant and maybe I should also heat the engine up a bit. That way the aluminum engine block should expand and make taking the bolts out easier. What do you guys think? You think all this should make a difference?

Anyone know what those bolts inside our engine bay are made of? What kinda metal is it?

 

I've been working on Z Cars for over 20 years. I can probably help.

I have not used the guys in Plano, but thet seem to do a lot of Import MOds.

 

You can buy some penetrating lube but it really shouldn't be needed. You're talking about spending $250 extra for a $75 mod. I'd let him help you and buy some pizza and slip some cash in his G-string and go for it

Not sure where you get replacement studs for the cover but he probably knows.
Good luck!