Putting new sway bar in and twisted bolt off. any Idea?????

 

Which bolt? One of the ones attaching the subframe, the swaybar, or swaybar to endlink? At any rate you probably have lots of fun ahead with a drill and easy out or some other broken bolt/stud remover and then depending on which bolt broke either a trip to a hardware/auto parts store or the dealer for a replacement.

 

Oh, strut bolt, read the thread title, duh. Probably a trip to the dealer.

 

Using torque wrench and bolt twisted off at less than 86nm's.Does anybody know if you can access these bolts from inside?

 

>>Putting new sway bar in and twisted bolt off. any Idea?????

How did you manage to do that? :???:

Is the bolt head broken off or do you mean the bolt split into two?
or did you strip the bolt head?

 

Well putting in new sway bar and it was really easy. My main problem came when I started to read the instructions and followed the torque specs. Had the whole thing done ! I was on the last bolt and it wouldn't come tight but never got above 86nm. and then it twisted free and I knew I was in trouble. I have tried to drill it but it is so hard hat bit will not dig in. HELP!!!!

 

What is the build date of your car? There was a strut bolt recall on early 2003 model year MINIs. Search for Strut bolt recall or look at this link: https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...amp;topic=8470

retroom

 

Hey, cool... me too! I just did mine in this afternoon. Same deal. I tried using one of those easy-out tools to get the remaining bolt out, bu was unsuccessful. The "easy out" thing just seemed to want to eat away at the bolt remains, not lock in and back the bolt out. I'm going to see if I can find some professional help tomorrow.

I checked that other thread about the recall. I never got a recall notice... my build date was the first week of September 02.

 

Just so we're all on the same page, my failed bolt was one of these:

Image borrowed from the http://www.outmotoring.com how-to

 

Are the heads coming off the bolts or are you stripping the threads?

 

the HEADS are coming OFF !!!!! MY is a 04

 

>>the HEADS are coming OFF !!!!! MY is a 04

OH!

Since it's an 04, it should be under warranty, isn't it?


_________________

 

warranty seems appropriate, however not being serviced by an authorized MINI hack..I mean tech, the dealership most like can't help you.

Those bolts only need about 30 Lb-Ft max!

_________________

 

Here is what I read @ out motoring as far as the Torque specs. Torque settings for the bushing bolts to subframe:19nm, sway bar trailing link nut to sway bar end: 56nm, upper shock bolts to chasis: 86nm, subframe to body: 100nm.

 

Dang, bolt heads breaking off?

I only hand tightened those bolts using a small wrachet because when i
undid those bolts for the first time, they weren't very tight at all. I can kinda
feel how much torque (if the bolt/nut isn't rusted) from just the wrachet and
my guess was maybe 40-45ft/lbs max.


I was going to say try easy-outs. should work.

 

OK, I got the #@#@%^@ bolt out, So that I don't haveany more #$%#$@problems can someone give the torque spec's for SUBFRAME to body ,

 

>>OK, I got the #@#@%^@ bolt out, So that I don't haveany more #$%#$@problems can someone give the torque spec's for SUBFRAME to body ,

As the other lucky person, how'd you get the bolt out? I gave up on mine, fearing that my attempts at drilling it out were making things worse. And, have you sourced a replacement bolt yet? I'm leaning towards having my dealership fix things for me.

 

Yes, I finally Got the bolt out I broke 3 small easy outs. Ended up with 2 holes that came together , that made a slot . sprayed bolt threads with wd 40up in small space next to frame and let sit . Them got a good flat screw driver and put it in the slot and started turning bolt out. BUT the subframe bolts I don't trust .From what I gather they torque to 100nm. ??? I'm afarid they will break or strip!!!! HELP

 

Glad to hear you got the bolt out. I was gonna suggest making a slot
too, but wasn't sure how tight the bolt was in there (I thought you jumped the
thread).

The subframe bolts, I used my long wrachet and hand tightened it pretty
firmly and used threadlock blue just to be safe. I didn't use a torque wrench
but my guess is about 60ft/lbs torque. Those 4 bolts tend to loosen up
after 15-20 miles, so you should re-tighten them if you don't use threadlock.

 

Thanks I'll do that. For all the hassle, it seems worth it. The car handles NICE!!!!

 

nice! :smile:

You should've seen how long my episode was getting my sus parts together.
(parts missing, vendors forgetting to order parts, fitment issues, etc.)

 

Well if that was the only thing that happened this weekend I'd be happy ! Friday when leaving work someone on the 405 ramp dumped white paint ahead of me and before I knew it I was through it. When I got home I was afarid to look! I had good reason ! Paint spots on both side and the back. Friday night I clayed barred the car. Hardest part was the black Molding. I used a stiff brush on it and it got the paint off but now I have light scratches in the molding!! Any way everything is done!!!

 

dohh! :smile:

 

Thanks, For right now I took my buffer with a dry pad and got some of them out, will try more later!!!