missing bolt in engine crossmember
10-30-2015, 07:47 PM
#1
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Car: 1988 Pontiac Transam GTA Notchback
Engine: 2003 Chevy 5.3 Vortec (325 cu)
Transmission: 4L60E
Axle/Gears: 3.27
missing bolt in engine crossmember
Hello everyone,
After completing my engine swap early this year and placing the k-member back in the car, I noticed that one of my bolts was different than all the other "long type bolts". So naturally I figured, it came out of the hole, it should go back in the same one. Except it stripped the threads. Now, I am running around with this car minus one crossmember bolt, the left forward bolt. The only thing that I notice is a horrible creaking sound coming from the front end. Since it wasn't there before, it must be because of the bolt. I have already put in the wonderbar brace, since the creaking is only when I first start driving the car and only when I turn. (So I thought that perhaps the frame around the steering box was cracked). The creaking subsided a bit, but its still there. Next up is the trans mount cause I get a horrible vibration sometimes in the morning when driving.
Could the missing bolt in the k-member be attributed to any/all of the above, and what can I do to replace the missing bolt - the hole is stripped and I tried tapping it but that didn't work.
Sometimes I feel like this car has morning sickness, lol, its only in the morning with the peculiarities, haha
After completing my engine swap early this year and placing the k-member back in the car, I noticed that one of my bolts was different than all the other "long type bolts". So naturally I figured, it came out of the hole, it should go back in the same one. Except it stripped the threads. Now, I am running around with this car minus one crossmember bolt, the left forward bolt. The only thing that I notice is a horrible creaking sound coming from the front end. Since it wasn't there before, it must be because of the bolt. I have already put in the wonderbar brace, since the creaking is only when I first start driving the car and only when I turn. (So I thought that perhaps the frame around the steering box was cracked). The creaking subsided a bit, but its still there. Next up is the trans mount cause I get a horrible vibration sometimes in the morning when driving.
Could the missing bolt in the k-member be attributed to any/all of the above, and what can I do to replace the missing bolt - the hole is stripped and I tried tapping it but that didn't work.
Sometimes I feel like this car has morning sickness, lol, its only in the morning with the peculiarities, haha
11-14-2015, 12:08 PM
#2
11-14-2015, 03:29 PM
#3
Supreme Member
Re: missing bolt in engine crossmember
Missing a cross member bolt can't be good for the car and I would suspect that's where the noise is coming from. F-bodies are known for their body flex since they aren't full frame cars. It's even worse if you have t-tops and no subframe connectors.
My only suggestion is to find out what it actually bolts into, such as a captured nut or a threaded tab, and fix that area. If it is a tab then it could be replaced and if it is a nut you might be able to redo the threads. You said that you tried to tap it but you might have to drill it out and put in a Helicoil threaded insert.
I do know the size of the bolt is a M12-1.75x115.
My only suggestion is to find out what it actually bolts into, such as a captured nut or a threaded tab, and fix that area. If it is a tab then it could be replaced and if it is a nut you might be able to redo the threads. You said that you tried to tap it but you might have to drill it out and put in a Helicoil threaded insert.
I do know the size of the bolt is a M12-1.75x115.
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