Knocking / Sheared bolt in subframe brace / bracket

[cliomtb]

While looking for the cause of occasional knocking front driver's side I found a sheared bolt in the subframe-to-chassis brace. I'm a bit doubtful that it's the cause, but I've not found anything else yet, and it would be good to fix it anyway.

Am I safe to remove this brace while I fix it without any additional support to stop things distorting or landing on my head?

 

[JamesBryan]

Fine to remove that plate.

The subframe won't fall on you or anything.

 

[DomP182]

View attachment 1526680

While looking for the cause of occasional knocking front driver's side I found a sheared bolt in the subframe-to-chassis brace. I'm a bit doubtful that it's the cause, but I've not found anything else yet, and it would be good to fix it anyway.

Am I safe to remove this brace while I fix it without any additional support to stop things distorting or landing on my head?

Snap! As in I have the same, not as in a description of your bolt, well both I suppose!

Mine doesn't cause any knocking noises if that helps

 

[Craigy69k]

Mines is exactly the same underneath hoping to address the issue soon as it's an MOT fail as far as I can make out.

What are your plans with this? My bolt is sheared off so thinking about either drilling out or welding a nut on top?

 

[cliomtb]

Given it seems quite common, I gave the others a good soak in penetrating oil over night and carefully loosened them off this afternoon. Luckily they've all freed up nicely - I was half expecting to start with one sheared bolt and finish with four

I'll try a screw extractor first and go from there. It will have to wait to next weekend though.

If it's an MOT failure, they failed to spot it at my last MOT. I've never been near that bolt before, and no one else has worked on my car for over a year.

 

[NBG182]

Had the same with two out of eight on mine. The bolts are fairly soft so was pretty easy to drill out to the minor thread diameter then chase out the rest (carefully) with a tap.

Top tip, make your centre mark to start drilling on using a little abrasive stone on a Dremel. Much easier to correct when you inevitably place it off centre the first time like I do.

 

[ripp]

anyone know what size is the bolt thread that's missing in the OP's post? Thx!

 

[JamesBryan]

anyone know what size is the bolt thread that's missing in the OP's post? Thx!

M8 x 1.25 24-25mm long from what i can see.

7703602211

 

[ripp]

M8 x 1.25 24-25mm long from what i can see.

7703602211

thanks man!