Hi,

I appear to have threaded one of the 6 studs required to attach my strut brace across the motor on my MINI Cooper S. The nut just keeps turning. Am in a major pickle? Do I need to take my car back to the dealrship? My car is still under warranty but I don't believe BMW will cover this one.

I seemed to remember someone experiencing this problem and it costing them a small fortune to repair.

Please, what are my options?

Thanks for any assistance,

Alan

 

I would just extract the stud out of the strut mount and use a bolt and nut.

 

First, remove the strut brace and look at the threads on the stud. If the nut is just spinning freely as you try to tighten it, you may have just buggered up the threads on the nut, rather than on the stud itself. If that's the case, a trip to the local hardware store might be all you have to do.

 

Thanks,

1) The inside of the stud is buried under and behind the left front wheel rim and I am unable to access it.

2) I am attempting to get the bolt off the stud so I can install my strut brace. Unfortunately it is the existing bolt that is spinning without being able to tighten or unloosen it.

Looks like a rip to the dealrship!

 

Jack up front end.
Loosen upper end-link bolt.
Remove lines from strut tube.
Loosen lower bolt that holds strut into steering knuckle. This goes through a tang on the strut, and the strut won't come out without removing this bolt completely.
Cut the offending nut/stud off. You're screwed there.
Remove other two nuts.
Drop out strut.
Remove stud
Replace with bolt nut as suggested, or get a new strut mount from a dealership.

There are no special tools involved, and a jack and jackstands is all that is needed to get room for the work. The part will be less than $50. The dealer will charge you for the part, and over $100 in labor. On a 1-10 scale, this is a 2 or a 3, with putting stickers on a 1!

Matt