Broken axles carrier bearing bolts.... cause? [Merged 11-8]

[zook]

Heya,

I've got a 91 Talon TSI, and I broke the drivers side axle carrier bearing bolts.....twice!!! What could be the cause?? I'm ordeing the proper bolts from the dealer tomorrow, cause it looks like the first time they wern't stock, nor when I did it. It's actually tough to find the proper strength around here. (My uncle was looking into it for me, and the seem to be special bolts) but I am just wondering what could be causing them to break? They broke just cruising down the highway, not accelerating, or turning, just a straight cruise at 80km/h.

I was thinking maybe motor mounts??? But they do seem ok... gonna really get into it tomorrow after work, it's easiest to go from up top, taking the intake mani off. Getting a drill from underneath is almost impossible.

Thanks

 

[Woodsy0]

I'm having the same problem with my 95. My bearing carrier broke off once, had to drop the engine and drill out the broken bolts, and a month later (yesterday) it just did it again. Did you ever find out what the problem could be? Also, I need two new bolts for the bearing carrier, and was just going to go to a hardware store to get them. Are they special bolts I need to get from the dealer?

Thanks,

Scott

 

[DSM90AWD]

Did you happen to remember to shim up the 1/4" gap with washers when you removed the A/C Compressor bracket

 

[Woodsy0]

Now that you mention it I dont think I did...I'll give that a shot this time around, if that's the reason it failed I'll really feel stupid, and come to think of it that sounds right, so I do feel stupid. But thanks a ton for that tip.

Scott

 

[DSM90AWD]

If I hadn't read a thread with the same remedy a few days before I removed my A/C, I'd of been in the same boat

 

[gsx951]

I band sawed the bracket and used it as a spacer.

 

[Woodsy0]

Alright well i checked for the bracket, and it's still in place... Any other ideas?

 

[Woodsy0]

Alright I took some pics to get some more accurate feedback...Now I'm not sure if this is the bracket you guys are talking about or not, is it? Also, the bolt hole where the bolt fell out looks kind of cracked or distorted, as you can see it's not the same height all around. Does this look normal? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Took my axle out today and got to lookin. The guy who got it back in said the carrier bearing bolts weren't the right ones. When we were putting it all back together, the bearing side closer to the driver side doesn't lay flush against the block. It's like when he tightened the one closer to the tranny tight, the one on the other side wouldn't go in all the way. Like there's supposed to be an extension on it so the carrier bearing mounts flush to the block. Anyone had a problem with this? Maybe a p/o just put some random bolts in there to hold it in place or something, but has anyone else had a problem with this? It's a 91 GSX but supposedly has the JDM driveline in it so you can disconnect the 1 bolt and make it a 2wd instead of 4wd for a dyno. Maybe if anyone has some pics of what the carrier bearing bolts are supposed to look like, I can kinda compare?

 

[Quasimondo]

Is the AC compressor bracket still on the block? The bolt that's sticking out needs to have that bracket in place.

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Ahh good call! No the a/c is gone, taken out with the p/s by a previous owner. Damn you're one smart guy! Anyone have a spare a/c bracket laying around so they can measure the thickness so I can just get some washers in place?

 

[DSM90AWD]

Ahh good call! No the a/c is gone, taken out with the p/s by a previous owner. Damn you're one smart guy! Anyone have a spare a/c bracket laying around so they can measure the thickness so I can just get some washers in place?

I remember it being a little more than 1/4" (I'll measure it when I get home). I just packed washers in there until the gap BTW the CB and Block was filled

 

[Matt300ZXT]

Awesome, if you could get me that number I'd really appreciate it.

 

[1stGenRocks]

just stack washers in there until its flush. i used 4

 

[DSM90AWD]

Awesome, if you could get me that number I'd really appreciate it.

5/16" which equated to 4 generic flat washers

 

[Matt300ZXT]

5/16ths, sounds good....thanks guys

 

[MG200]

The bolt that goes to the arrow in the picture (Its the bolt that must be spaced when the AC is removed) has snapped off and it stuck in the engine block. Whats left of the bolt is actually recessed into the block threads so I was thinking about drilling it out and using a ez-out or something simillar. Anyone ever had this happen?

 

[dnhieu]

damn man i feel really bad for you. its going to be very difficult to get a drill gun up there to drill a hole in the bolt and then get an easy out in the hole to pull it out.

remember to get the biggest easy out in the hole as possible so that the easy out doesnt break while trying to back out the bolt.

 

[purplehazetsi]

damn, that sucks man ive had my share of broken bolts. Did you not space is when you removed the AC?? I didnt space my and my bolt didnt snap.. maybe this will motivate me to space it.. anyways good luck man.

 

[1gcrazy]

remember to get the biggest easy out in the hole as possible so that the easy out doesnt break while trying to back out the bolt.

Trust him it F*&CKING Sucks

 

[dnhieu]

it might be time to pull the motor my friend. i have been doing alot of thinking about this and i dont see you pulling that bolt without pulling the motor.....

 

[BUCK]

Been there - done this & it's a bi*** - I bought a Milwaukee "corner" drill - Electric Drill w/ 90 degree head - Some GOOD drill bits - & the tapered SQUARE EZ OUTs - NOT the "auger type" EZ out - Try & be patient down there & don't "lose it" & break a Drill Bit off. BTW I drill thru the hole in the AC Compressor bracket into the Block of course.

damn, that sucks man ive had my share of broken bolts. Did you not space is when you removed the AC?? I didnt space my and my bolt didnt snap.. maybe this will motivate me to space it.. anyways good luck man.

for GODS SAKE man - PLEASE go down there & throw some flat washers in that gap!!!!!

 

[RoasT BeeF]

Had mine break off twice. First time I was able to drill them and use an EZ out to extract the bolts. Second time EZ out broke off in the bolt so I said fu*k it and welded the bracket to the engine block.

They really arent that hard to remove. Remove the intake manifold and the axle so that you have access to the area. I got a cordless drill from sears that worked fine for the drilling. Only costed $90 and I just returned it after use. hehe

 

[ian7321]

Well I may have you beat on the hard bolt story. My top left bellhousing to block bolt broke off and I thought ok, I can use an easy out. So after drilling it and putting the easy out in, the bolt didnt wanna budge so I get my cheater bar and apply just a tiny bit of pressure, and I mean tiny and the damn extractor breaks off inside.

So after 2 hours of dremel work the extractor is out, bc I could not drill through it because it was too hard.

So I drill it bigger use an easy out break it again. So I say screw, it and drill the bi*** out and helicoiled it. What fun.

 

[Mitsu90GSX]

anyone know if those 2 bolts are the same length? i took them both out, and didn't pay attention, got the one mixed in w/ a bunch of other ones...