broke subframe bolt

[SHOslamwagon]

i just broke my subframe bolt on the rear passenger side. my car is a 1992 from ontario. its not that big a deal because i just want the engine but i can't afford this to happen when i drop the engine out of my wagon, how can i prevent it from happening or how will i remove a broken bolt?

i am hoping that swapping the whole subframe/engine assembly between the two cars will work. btw its a 1994 wagon also from Ontario with no major rust spots, only stuff under paint that is very small.

 

[AREA 91]

The SHO has a specific sub frame, be it an ATX or MTX. You're wagon sub frame goes in the trash.

You can spray some penetrating oil on the sub frame bolts through the little holes from the bottom.

To remofe the broken rear bolt, you will hafe to pull up the carpet from inside on the floor board. Then you will see a rubber plug in the sheet metal where the "recall" has been done. Pop that plug out, and fish the broken natzi bolt outta there.

 

[Bizzy]

Hmmm...I thought all the ATX subframes (SHO/SLO) were all the same.

 

[St Louis SHO]

I do belive you are right.

 

[Racer X]

Hmmm...I thought all the ATX subframes (SHO/SLO) were all the same.

Quoted for truth!

 

[itwonder]

I had the same concern and here is how I approached it. The basic problem is the subframe bolt threads protrude a lot through the nutplate that secures the bolt. Those exposed threads get corroded. When you unscrew the bolt, that corrosion jams the nutplate and either breaks the bolt or the tangs that secure the nutplate in place. The rear bolts use a more robust nutplate, assuming your car had the recall installed, and that recall added an access hole to the nutplate from above through the car's floor.

There are holes in the frame nearby the nutplates that will allow you to get penetrating oil in there. Start by slightly tightening rather than loosening the bolt. 1/8 turn is plenty. Then back the bolt out until you feel it start to seize. Go forward 1/4 turn and stop. Apply more penetrating oil. Repeat this process as many times as needed, backing the bolt a little further out each time. That will gradually wear off the corrosion and allow the bolt to come out. Whatever you do, do not put an air impact gun on it. That will tear the nutplate tangs loose when the bolt seizes. Then the nutplate will just spin around inside the frame. You'll have to cut the bolt if that happens.

 

[Bizzy]

You know, I've often considered reusing subframe bolts, but to me they're like pinch bolts....one use only. There may be others who don't share in my opinion, and those that aren't in rust belt states may be just fine, but that's how I personally feel about them.

If it were me, if it started having problems coming out, I'd just cut the bugger off and use fresh bolts and plate nuts. The recall kits come with all the parts you need and it's not that hard to get them in place, even without access holes. To me it's well worth the extra effort and money to have a little extra peace of mind.

 

[pimp]

so the way to see if the recall was done is to pull the carpet and look for a plug, this means holes were drilled for easy access from up-top?i had my car on the lift yesterday and noticed my bushings looked terrible, and can tell when im turning sometimes.i would like to know, i wouldnt mind a recall done by someone else besides me.call the local dealer and give them the vin??

 

[sho'd]

You know, I've often considered reusing subframe bolts, but to me they're like pinch bolts....one use only. There may be others who don't share in my opinion, and those that aren't in rust belt states may be just fine, but that's how I personally feel about them.

If it were me, if it started having problems coming out, I'd just cut the bugger off and use fresh bolts and plate nuts. The recall kits come with all the parts you need and it's not that hard to get them in place, even without access holes. To me it's well worth the extra effort and money to have a little extra peace of mind.

i've asked this question before about them being torque to yeild, i have gotten mixed answers, most say the used them again, i dunno, i bought the recall kits, had to take the bolts back out and re-used em. i think the will be ok, well so far anyhow.

 

[Bizzy]

Oh, I totally agree with you sho'd, those parts can be re-used and I've even reused pinch bolts when I was in a pinch (excuse the pun) before. But for the sake of my peace of mind and considering how cheap the recall kits are and how important they are, I just replace them.

 

[sho'd]

Oh, I totally agree with you sho'd, those parts can be re-used and I've even reused pinch bolts when I was in a pinch (excuse the pun) before. But for the sake of my peace of mind and considering how cheap the recall kits are and how important they are, I just replace them.

i hear what your saying Bizz, now you got me wondering if i should order up a new set, as i have to remove the back 2, i didn't put the recall nut on the back 2 bolts, as they came out fine, i have to do that this week sometime. i will have that in the back of my head now though. lol. they are a very important bolt.

 

[38SHO]

i've seen thousands of taurus' that we rebuild trannies and use the same subframe bolts....... never had a problem..... of course we are in south florida....

now exhaust nuts......... thats another story lol

come on these bolts are steel... not paper mache, only problems I could see why you would need new ones if they are rusted and the threads are messed up..... either that or if you torque them too high that could possible snap one.....

I torqued mine to about 90ftlbs

 

[Bizzy]

i've seen thousands of taurus' that we rebuild trannies and use the same subframe bolts....... never had a problem..... of course we are in south florida....

now exhaust nuts......... thats another story lol

come on these bolts are steel... not paper mache, only problems I could see why you would need new ones if they are rusted and the threads are messed up..... either that or if you torque them too high that could possible snap one.....

I torqued mine to about 90ftlbs

Yep, and that right there is a very good point too. Many people torque theirs to way, WAY more than that and it's just not needed. There's a torque specification for a reason. Getting it tight enough to hold the subframe on is only half the reason. IMO of course.

 

[Racer X]

Well, two things on the subject of subframe bolts:

(1) The bolts are not TTY, so they don't stretch and are reusable.
(2) The bolts are 10.9 grade bolts in an M12x1.25 pitch. The nominal torque rating is around 100 ft.lbs., so if you don't exceed this greatly, you don't risk damaging the bolts, and therefore it'd be perfectly ok to reuse them.

FWIW, I have the recall kit on my car at all 4 corners with AlSFB's, and neither the bolts or the plates were excessively corroded.