Sway bar bolt cross threaded

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May 30, 2012 | 12:38 PM

EVL JAKE

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Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2011

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From: West Dundee IL

2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Sway bar bolt cross threaded

So I swapped out my mufflers yesterday and I noticed one of the top sway bar bolts came out very easy and the other was hard. Same when I put it all back together. After doing some research it seems like whoever worked on the exhaust before me cross threaded one of the bolts since is a common issue. Any way to fix this? Can a chase the thread and buy a new bolt or is more needed? Should I just live with it. I will be swapping the muffler again and probably upgrading the sway bar so i don't want a bigger issue.

May 31, 2012 | 04:01 PM

EVL JAKE

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Nov 2011

Posts: 1,042

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From: West Dundee IL

2024 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified

St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Anyone?

May 31, 2012 | 04:05 PM

johnodrake

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From: Lakewood Ranch, FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by EVL JAKE

Anyone?

I would try a thread chaser and a new bold. If that doesn't work, a helicoil may or you may be able to drill the mount and rethread for a slightly larger bolt. I would hate to think of replacing the rear carrier! Yikes!

May 31, 2012 | 04:29 PM

Dif

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2009

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From: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnodrake

1st, .. it's worth a shot to see how good the thread is, after chasing it with a Tap.
It may work good, ... and the only way to know is if/when it gets Torqued and does not strip out further.

On the other hand,.. IMO, .. chances are the threaded hole in the carrier is already compromised

Do it right and put a Helicoil in!

It will take some patience and skill but will be fixed correctly with a Helicoil and no future fear of it being a problem.
Good luck and hope it works out OK

May 31, 2012 | 05:28 PM

The Clevite Kid

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From: Miami FL

2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified

St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16,'17,'18-'19-'20-'21-'22

I repaired a bad bolt hole in an aluminum alternator with a helicoil about 15 years ago, on my truck, and it has worked perfectly for a number of belt changes and belt adjustments ever since. And, it is NOT that hard to do. Go for it.