My dumbass self managed to snap the bolt that connects the raditor dampener to the front subframe (think opened hood and the frame member that is right at the front of the car). Now I only have one dampener bolted to the frame, the other side just bounces freely... My question is - should I worry about it and get it fixed ASAP, or is it not a biggie? Basically from what I udnerstand, one side of the radiator is just gonna bounce.

Now - I can't understand the remainder of that bolt - i snapped the part that has the nut on it, and underneath that frame member thers is some wiring... how do I go about getting this thing out? Is it just a screw or do I need to drill this bastard?

 

I did the same thing last year. You will need to fix it. Just get a self tapping screw/bolt, and drill a tapping hole and screw it in there to hold it. Make sure you dont use something too long so you dont knick the wires.

-matt

 

Engine wiring harness runs under that frame rail. Make sure you don't drill into it. Just pull it down out of the way of the area your working.

 

drill it out and fasten it down some how. best way would be to get a screw weldd on from underneath, but not many people have access to a welder. just put a 10mm underneath and secure it with a 10mm nut.

 

Can I pull the harness a bit and then get the bolt out? I didn't have much light yesterday so I couldn't see...

 

i did this too, thought i was going to be slick and polish those pieces, prettied them all up and snapped the second screw.

i drillled out the hole and just used a new screw. yeah you can pop that piece out which will allow you to pull all that stuff down. I was having trouble trying to get a nut up under there so I could tighten things up.

then i realized the screw i used didnt even need anything, very tight and strong hold

 

You wont get your hands up in there to get any type of bolt in there. The wireing harness is pretty rigid and is NOT moving. Self tapping bolt/screw. and your done. Mine is really secure and even comes out and goes back in

-matt

 

I guess this is a commong thing. I did the same as these guys and used a self tapping screw on another spot, it's worked for years now.

 

I drilled through it, nicked the wiring harness a little bit but everythign seems to work just fine. To be safe, I injected some sillicon into the nick on the harness - life is good now

 

its not an actual screw in there, it's just the threads of a bolt welded to the sheetmetal, so you have to drill it out and replace it with another bolt, unless you dont care how it looks, then drill in a self tapping screw.