I got everything off, the pulley on, the tensioner on and as I'm lining up the drivers side mount bolts I completely flub up and cross thread two of the three bolts. I know better than to work with low blood sugar and when it's getting late, but done is done.

So now it's time to plan the fix, one of the holes I was able to thread with the bracket off, so know I need to only fix one (though I may do both).

I can't rethread from the bottom, so I'm thinking helicoil?

Also one bolt is shot beyond recovery, and ideas where to find these other than the dealer (who is an hour away and will want way too much.

Thanks for the help and allowing me to vent. Not too much blood and only one smashed finger... so I guess it's not too bad!

 

So it was the engine mount bolts that got cross threaded?

If you can pull it off, helicoil will be your best bet. After all, NASA uses those on all space shuttle fasteners. I myself have used them to repare the threaded hole on my Vespa's carb that the airbox mounts too. It was careful work, had I messed up, I would have been screwed because nobody makes carbs for the 180 SS anymore.

 

Actually, you'd be surprised at how cheap bolts are at the dealer. If I recall right, the pinch bolts that hold the front struts to the hub carrier were like $.40 each when I needed some.

 

Thanks for the responses.

Yup, it was the drivers side engine mount bolt, the two lower ones. I'm looking into M12 X 1.5 helicoil as we speak.

I will have to try the dealer, I'm used to crazy Audi prices as I recently bought a $9 bolt I had managed to lose during a project (I'm going to kick myself when I find that one!).