Rear Cradle Bolt Spins
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 19
From: Leominster MA
Rear Cradle Bolt Spins
2001 Convertible
Manual Trans
~88,000 miles.
Just bought the car in March.
I have removed the rear cradle and Diff to fix the leak at the extensions housing and transmission. I will also replace the rear Diff O-rings and seals and extension housing to Diff O-ring. When removing the cradle, one of the mounting bolts was spinning. We were able to get the nut off and cradle out. I have search and cannot find any posting of others with this same problem, or suggested repair. I can get the bolt to it's "home" position, but when I put the nut on it will raise up and start to spin.
Any ideas? I was thinking of trying to get some JB weld up inside the mount and tighten the nut to hold the bolt down and let the JB weld cure.
Thanks in advance -
Manual Trans
~88,000 miles.
Just bought the car in March.
I have removed the rear cradle and Diff to fix the leak at the extensions housing and transmission. I will also replace the rear Diff O-rings and seals and extension housing to Diff O-ring. When removing the cradle, one of the mounting bolts was spinning. We were able to get the nut off and cradle out. I have search and cannot find any posting of others with this same problem, or suggested repair. I can get the bolt to it's "home" position, but when I put the nut on it will raise up and start to spin.
Any ideas? I was thinking of trying to get some JB weld up inside the mount and tighten the nut to hold the bolt down and let the JB weld cure.
Thanks in advance -
Last edited by 10yrPlan; Apr 11, 2016 at 12:07 PM. Reason: typo's
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did you use an impact to remove the nuts??... there is a rivet that holds the stud in place and if it breaks the stud will spin freely, I believe you have to cut into the frame to repair it... you might try putting the cradle in place, get the nut started, and then use some large vice grips or locking pliers on the end of the stud to hold it in place while having a helper tighten the nut
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
SOMETIMES the retainer breaks and that is what causes the issue. If anyone used an electric or pneumatic hammer to remove the NUTs,, that's what normally breaks the retainer clips
Here is what the bolt retainer clip looks like on the FRONT CRADLE:
FRONT CRADLE BOLT retainer ON A C5:
Here is what the bolt retainer clip looks like on the FRONT CRADLE:
FRONT CRADLE BOLT retainer ON A C5:
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 62
Likes: 19
From: Leominster MA
I did use an impact driver to remove the nuts. I'm a big fan of impact drivers to remove nuts and bolts over a ratchet, wrench or breaker bar; if they don't want to move, they the impact driver will not break the bolt. Typically I will spray with penetrating oil and start the impact driver on the lowest setting and work my way up until the nut or bolt starts to move. Looks like in this case it was a bad idea (?). I read about not using an impact driver to install the nuts so you don't break the mount of the bolt, but I don't recall reading about not using one for removal...
I'm sure the cradle has bene off before, maybe it wasn't me that broke it...
Good to know anyway.
New seals shipped out today, should be back on the road by the weekend.
I'm sure the cradle has bene off before, maybe it wasn't me that broke it...
Good to know anyway.
New seals shipped out today, should be back on the road by the weekend.
Last edited by 10yrPlan; Apr 11, 2016 at 03:28 PM.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2013
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From: Leominster MA
[QUOTE=Bill Curlee;1591973780]SOMETIMES the retainer breaks and that is what causes the issue. If anyone used an electric or pneumatic hammer to remove the NUTs,, that's what normally breaks the retainer clips
Here is what the bolt retainer clip looks like on the FRONT CRADLE:
FRONT CRADLE BOLT retainer ON A C5:
Thank you of the picture. Good to know that's what it looks like.
Here is what the bolt retainer clip looks like on the FRONT CRADLE:
FRONT CRADLE BOLT retainer ON A C5:
Thank you of the picture. Good to know that's what it looks like.
Melting Slicks
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From: Nathalie VA
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18
DO NOT USE AN IMPACT ON THE CRADLE NUTS.... That statement is littered through out this forum....
I'm a fan of air tools too, but never ever use them on these nuts. I'd put money on it that it broke when you put the impact on it.
I'm a fan of air tools too, but never ever use them on these nuts. I'd put money on it that it broke when you put the impact on it.
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From: South Western Ontario
The proper way to fix it is to cut a hole in the floor above the bolt and fix the attachment. The rear attachment is the same as the front in the picture Bill posted.
But then if it's a rear bolt take a look in by the rear upper a-arm mount. I've never paid attention, but maybe you can jamb a flat head wrench in there to hold the bolt head.
But then if it's a rear bolt take a look in by the rear upper a-arm mount. I've never paid attention, but maybe you can jamb a flat head wrench in there to hold the bolt head.
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St. Jude Donor '14-'15
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The Field Service Manual does not mention the need to replace the nuts on the cradle, as if it were possible anyway. Without a manual - you're just another person posting How To questions on forums and hoping you get the correct answers.