I just was in the process of replacing my control arm and the metal ring inside the bushing wouldn't come off. My friend took off the two bolts by the front control arm mount that hold the control arm mount onto the subframe thinking it was a separate part. (We had to torch the metal ring to get it off). Anyway, I put them back in and wrenched them down, but they won't tighten all the way up. I'm guessing inside the subframe there is a nut tack-welded and after wrenching it off and wrenching it back on the weld broke. So, what can I do?

 

Do you have access to a welder?

 

If you do have access to a welder then you could drill a big enough hole in the side of the frame near where the bolt/bolts go in and put a tack weld on the frame nut in there....


I hope this helps you....Maybe matt or jeff or some of the other big dogs here can fill in the gaps i have missed

 

SEARCH!!! THATS WHAT U TOLD ME..AND U CAN...

 

My buddy is convinced that drilling a hole would compromise the structural integrity. Really need some advice, folks. Please help!

 

can you get some pics of what and where you're having problems?

without knowing exactly which one you're talking about, I can't advise you properly on a repair..

 

If you have a welder you can cut a piece of metal to fit the hole you made and weld it back up...It will be just as stong as before...

 

 

Pics coming later today... In the mean time, what do you guys think about trying an impact wrench?

 

Something you can try is to get a hold of the bolt with some visegrip type pliers and pull down on the bolt head while you are trying to tighten it..It might get the nut inside there in a bind forcing it to stop turning with the bolt...

 

figure out what's wrong before using an impact or trying to force it. you're only going to make things worse by using force.

 

My friend car the same thing happend. Just do like was stated above and dril a hole and then cut a peice of steel and weld it back into the hole or get a competent welder to do it

BJ White

 

Update: I tried MyGreenMax94's vice grip idea...The bolt came out! There is no nuct on the inside, it is threaded. But the threading in the sub frame is kind of stripped. The other bolt is holding-for now. The only thing I can think of is hacing that piece welded to the frame. The only thing is I need to know that that piece is not one that would have to come off to swap my tranny in the near future. Once I verify that, I guess it's off to the welders! but not until tomorrow because my sway bar link is also shot and the new part won't be in until tomorrow. To be continued...

 

I'd also like to add... CHEAP PIECE OF **** JAPANESE STEEL!!!!!!!!!!!

 

take pics of exactly the messed up part and I can tell you how to properly fix it.

 

Gusset?

 

Yes, the gusset is the piece that the bolts hold on and the threads in the subframe are stripped. Can I just weld it to the frame? But I can't do that unless it would not interfere with tranny removal. It looks like it clears the tranny. Matt- pics on the way as soon as my buddy gets back from class.

 

i've seen gussets just welded on

 

Got a new bolt and waiting on a tap. As soon as it arrives I'll try and fix the threads and put the new bolt in. The other one is reasonably tight, so I'm going to leave it alone.

 

Retapping the hole worked. Car is now back on the road.

 

I figured that's all you were going to need. those holes have a tendency to do that.. I've had to re-tap probably 10 of them in the last couple years installing LTBs and doing suspension work for customers. doesn't seem to care if you use hand tools or air. I always have one get messed up every time.

 

Now matt.... how come you didn't pull this rabbit out of your hat earlier in this thread.....

 

Because I was asking for pics to determine if it was a tap that was needed or a welder and a tap.. if the nut is spinning inside the gusset (I've seen that too, when idiots try to use impact wrenches on said stripped threads), then it's not going to do any good to try to run a tap through it.

 

Thanks for your help guys, now it's back to finding a 5-speed donor car. I notice some spider cracking on the slush box's case which are what make it leak, I think. Anyway, that just furtheres my case to do the conversion.