Front stabilizing bar bolt size?

[ghohn]

Hey there,

First post. I just got a Tercel a few months ago and have to say I'm in love!

I've got two bolts on the passenger side bracket where the threads have been stripped. One fell out and the other one just spins. The head is 14mm but I don't know what the hole size is. I put another bolt in the second hole that had SOME grab but I don't want to remove it because I know I'll loose the little thread it has. I'm looking to buy a tap and die set so I can remedy this. Thanks for your help.

[Petros]

welcome to the forum!

those have a nut welded on the back side, likely you one one that broke loose. If you can get behind it (may take removing the bumper or other similar measures), you can just replace the nut on the backside. if it is still welded solidly in place, best bet would be to over sized, if the bolt head will not be in the way. Or you can get a "Helicoil" kit, drive out over size, tap and than tread in an insert held in place with lock tight. either way use a lot of ATF or light oil to lubricate it so you do not break off the tap in the hole. take it slow, back it up every quarter turn or so.

This is an important connection because the swap bar helps locate the front suspension, best get that fixed.

good luck.

[ghohn]

Thanks Petros. Using the search function I found out what can happen if the sway bar snaps. Not pretty.

I climbed under to look for a welded nut but there's nothing on the top side of the crossmember. Well, nothing serviceable atleast. The brackets look like they bolt into an empty pocket that I can't get at. Am I missing something?

Looking at this thread they don't mention anything about a welded nut.
viewtopic.php?f=7&t=7481

[Petros]

If I recall it is inside the box section of the frame. In all cases I have found there is an access hole with a rubber plug in it, or a plastic cap, or cover. It is usually not easy to reach, but everywhere there is a welded nut on the back side of a frame member there is a way to reach it. you may have to make an access hole, but that seems unlikely, keep poking around and likely you will find it. If I have a chance I will go look at my project car that has the front suspension mostly removed, so it is easier to take a look at it.

[dlb]

it might wind up being easier to unbolt and support the engine and steering rack so you can remove the cross-member and work on it out of the car. not sure as i haven't had to do this but it's something to keep in mind if you find it too difficult to work on in place.

[marlinh]

I just had a look at a cross member I have stuffed in a shed. There are no access holes to get to those nuts. I have come across a vehicle where someone tapped the nut oversize to repair a stripped nut. It seemed to hold ok.

[rer233]

Thread size should 10x1.25 mm, but my guess is the bolts have been cross-threaded and stripped. I doubt a 10 mm tap will be of any help as the threads are probably too far gone. Only recourse is to go oversize. Next step up is 12mm (never seen an 11mm bolt) which is too big a jump up IMHO. Had a boating buddy years ago with the same problem- i wound up drilling the holes out to accept a 7/16" tap (pretty much the same diameter as 11mm) chased new threads and installed 7/16" bolts. Worked like a charm. Good Luck!

[marlinh]

One of the last items to do on my latest project car was the front sway bar. One of the captive nuts has fallen inside the sub frame. It had already been tapped oversize and the weld must have been weakened. Have to either repair it or replace the whole sub frame, which I do not want to do. So, I am going to try cutting into the frame to try to repair it in place. If it works out, I will post pics in case someone else encounters this same problem.

[jimcrazy]

if it were mine a would drill and tap them out to 12mm, if the 10mm is realy striped out you may not get enough thread going to 7/16, then put in allen head cap screws the heads will a lot smaller then regular bolts. the do have 11mm bolts I have all the odd size helicoil kits 7mm 9mm 11mm becoming more common

[marlinh]

I would do that except the nut has actually fallen off. There is nothing to tap! The tacks let go.

[Petros]

I wonder if you can fix it with a "rivnut", this is a device like a pop-rivet but the tube section is threaded. You insert it into the hole and use a tool like a pop-rivet tool to compress the sleeve to swag it over the back side (it deforms the shaft section to act like a rivet). than you unscrew the swagging tool mandrel and you have a threaded insert in the hole. We used them on the Nissan race cars, and they are also used in aerospace applications. if you can find the Rivnuts itself, you can likely find a way to jury rig a way to swag it into place with other tools.

[jimcrazy]

they are also made in steel,fastenall has them

[ARCHINSTL]

Grainger also carries then in steel - metric and SAE; two pages worth: http://www.grainger.com/category/rivet- ... 7951576910
Tom M.

[marlinh]

Well I went and drilled a hole in the cross member. I borrowed a good quality metal hole saw instead of using a cheap one. Very happy with the results.
You can see the nut that fell off.




Those spot welds can only take so much.


This is the tool I borrowed.


Welded new nut.


Done!




Just wanted to share this in case someone else ever gets stuck with this problem. I'm sure everyone's suggestions would work too but this was just as easy.

[xirdneh]

Very Good!