Luke's Papa

I replaced my front transverse leaf (it was cracked pretty bad) using ls1's instructions and I'm on the last upper A arm bolt hole (nearest to front of car) and it won't go in. Any ideas? I've tried spraying with PB blaster, i tried switching each of the other 3 bolts, and tried running the bolt in with the A arm disconnected all to no avail. Idea's please?

Luke's Papa

I posted a seperate thread about fixing the problem but if I can't fix it is it OK to drive it to the shop without the 4th bolt installed? It looks ike the upper A arm is more about aligning the toe than supporting anything, true? Sorry if this and the other should have been 1 thread.

Don-Vette

Can you take the other bolts out and put that one in first? Or are you saying the bolt diameter is too large for the hole? How can that even be possible? Something is not lined up.

Luke's Papa

The bolt came out of the same hole when I removed the A arm. I tried removing the arm completely and installing it but it only goes in slightly then tightens up so I stopped turning and backed it out. Could it have been cross threaded from factory? Either way I need to fix it.

Luke's Papa

This same bolt works in any of the 4 holes so the bolt seems ok.

jaki30

Have you tried running a tap to clean the threads?

Tech

Sounds like you cross threaded it. As Jaki said, a tap would likely sort out the threads. However, be certain you know what you're doing when you use the tap.

Luke's Papa

I'm not sure how I cross threaded it since I never put it back in? Either way what are the tips for tapping? I'll go get one from Advanced loan a tool. How to get shavings out I can't get to the back of this hole.

Don-Vette

Before you buy a tap,clean out threaded hole and look at the threads,do the threads look "buggered"up how are the threads on the bolt? If you do need to tap it out(use oil on tap)bring bolt with you when buying the tap. Try screwing the bolt into thread by itself to rule out the threads

Tech

Taps are fluted. They have channels in them to carry the shavings out as you go. There are precautions you can take to prevent shavings from falling through a hole, but you don't need to worry about it. In your case, you should not be removing much material. There is likely just one buggered up spot unless you really tried to force the bolt in.

Make sure the tap is perpendicular to the bolt opening. If you put too much lateral pressure on the tap, you can ruin the threads more. Turn the tap a few turns in.. then back it out.. then back in a little further... keep verifying the tap is going in straight. Slow and steady. I like to use a 1/4" ratchet to run the tap in when I can. The t-handles rarely work for me for tapping something on a car.

There are probably youtube videos that show you how to use a tap.

Tech

typo

dpigguy

Use a good weight oil when tapping to help capture cuttings and go slowly. Once done you ca use air to clean out the hole. I usually use a light weight solvent or brake cleaner first then blow out the hole with air. Depending on access, you may want to use a rag when cleaning it out to keep cutting from going everywhere. Be sure you have the proper size and pitch tap. Use the bolt as a gauge when getting the correct tap. Again, go slowly!

Luke's Papa

You both are correct. The threads look ok and this bolt goes into any of the other 3 holes and it went into the sizing chart at Advanced as. 10X1.50 so I bought the tap and die set. I'm doing the work now so tips have been a huge help. Keep 'em coming

Luke's Papa

Update I took the other 3 bolts out and verified that this one bolt is still good and goes all the way in any of the other 3 holes

Luke's Papa

The tap tightens up the same place the bolt did. Press on?

Tech

Yes as long as you're certain the tap is perpendicular with the bolt hole (ie. the tap is going in straight). You should only need a half or 3/4 turn past this point to fix the threads. Keep turning 1/2, then back 1/4, then forward 1/2 until you feel the threads straighten out.

Luke's Papa

Ok couldn't tell with T handle but put bolt in hole and it's not straight. I put the others in for reference. It's pointing up. I only went about 1 and half turns. I took T handle off using ratchet now.

Not So Fast

Geeze, when simple things go wrong huh = nightmare!!
Hope you get it figured out
NSF

Luke's Papa

Thanks partner I appreciate it. If we're any of my other cars I'd buzz through without a 2nd thought. Corvette does something to me. Ha

Luke's Papa

GOT IT! Thank God you don't live in my neighborhood or you'd see an old fat guy running around like a little girl hootin and hollering. Thanks for the help guys