Front Strut Mount Bolt Stripped

[arbita1]

In going over my suspension this weekend I found that one of the bolts which is attached to the passenger side front strut mount is stripped. I'm pretty sure it is both the bolt and the nut (which is attached to the strut mount) that are stripped. However, I'm going to pick up a new bolt from the hardware store today and see if it will thread in. Maybe I'll get lucky and only the bolt is damaged.

If it does turn out that the nut is damaged and I need a new strut mount, my question is:

Do I need to take care of this immediately? Or can I still drive the car this way? I recently had the car aligned about a year ago and don't want to have to do it again so soon. (I'm not sure why the shop didn't mention this to me when they did the alignment.)

It's the bolt on the outside.



Another option I thought of, is getting a longer bolt and another nut that I can sandwich on top of the nut that is welded to the mount. Would this be an acceptable fix?

[cgarr]

The nuts are just tack welded to the plate in fact one of my came off. just put another nut on it for now. Its just kind of hard to get in there that's why they are attached to the plate.

[arbita1]

Originally Posted by cgarr

The nuts are just tack welded to the plate in fact one of my came off. just put another nut on it for now. Its just kind of hard to get in there that's why they are attached to the plate.

So if that's the case, could I just grind off the nut and replace it?

[schumicat]

you could try to run a thread chaser or tap through the nut to see it if is still usable. you can get a cheap tap & die set at harbor freight or just buy the size you need and a tap handle at a part store. i've had good luck before just running a good bolt through the other side of the nut where only 1-2 threads were damaged on the other side (the redneck thread chaser).

[cgarr]

Yea but you have to take out the whole plate to get to it I think? then your alignment might change.

[pete3799]

New bolt- chase the treads- if it doesn't tighten put another nut on it.

[arbita1]

Originally Posted by schumicat

you could try to run a thread chaser or tap through the nut to see it if is still usable. you can get a cheap tap & die set at harbor freight or just buy the size you need and a tap handle at a part store. i've had good luck before just running a good bolt through the other side of the nut where only 1-2 threads were damaged on the other side (the redneck thread chaser).

Originally Posted by pete3799

New bolt- chase the treads- if it doesn't tighten put another nut on it.

This worked perfectly.

I ordered a tap and die set from amazon (just metrics) for about $ 30. The keys were, using a generous amount of thread cutting oil, going slow, and tightening until I felt resistance and then backing off a half turn and the start tightening again.

The new bolt threading in and torqued up with no problem.

I really had no knowledge of using taps and dies before and didn't think I had any use for a set. You've opened up a new door for me.

Thanks guys!