Aluminum Bolt threads wont thread in...

Insane435 · 03-30-2018, 02:59 PM

Recently installed coilovers and had to unbolt the factory strut brace in order to remove the top hats of the struts.
When I went to reinstall my new one-time torx bolt/ the threads just get mashed and the bolt never goes in. I have burned through 2 of these bolts and do not know what to do. Is there a way i can re-thread the top hat or do i need to buy a new one now.
Has anyone else experienced this?

tpliquid · 03-30-2018, 03:55 PM

When u start to thread the bolt in. Do you use hand or u start with a wrench?

Insane435 · 03-30-2018, 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tpliquid

When u start to thread the bolt in. Do you use hand or u start with a wrench?

i have tried both. neither worked.

Billfitz · 03-30-2018, 05:01 PM

Looks like the wrong size thread. You'll probably have to chase the threads in the top hat with a tap, if not re-tap entirely for a larger thread size bolt if they're stripped.

B58 parts · 03-30-2018, 05:10 PM

It looks like it's not lined up exactly right and you're starting to crossthread it. Try loosening the other bolts on the top hat and grab the black brace and move it around. The one side of mine didn't line up right away and required some shifting the brace to get the threads to smoothly engage.

If you bricked the threads in the top hat .. just get a new one.

IK6SPEED · 03-30-2018, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Insane435

Recently installed coilovers and had to unbolt the factory strut brace in order to remove the top hats of the struts.
When I went to reinstall my new one-time torx bolt/ the threads just get mashed and the bolt never goes in. I have burned through 2 of these bolts and do not know what to do. Is there a way i can re-thread the top hat or do i need to buy a new one now.
Has anyone else experienced this?

I have a used top hats and bolts somewhere in my garage if interested in purchase.

Insane435 · 03-30-2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Looks like the wrong size thread. You'll probably have to chase the threads in the top hat with a tap, if not re-tap entirely for a larger thread size bolt if they're stripped.

Its the correct bolt for sure. Ive replaced these before. Somehow the top hat threading is toast. I plan on using a tap on it this week if not ill get a new top hat.

Also i did losen up the other bolts to align the brace but had no luck.

Insane435 · 03-30-2018, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

I have a used top hats and bolts somewhere in my garage if interested in purchase.

Ill PM you if i need to go that route, if the tap method doesnt work.

Billfitz · 03-30-2018, 09:12 PM

It's very odd, especially as that unthreaded section at the tip is supposed to align the bolt when it's inserted so that it can't cross thread. As long as you have to buy a tap for the top hat get a die so you can salvage the bolts.

Insane435 · 03-31-2018, 02:43 PM

Can i drive the car with this whole brace removed? Im gonna put in all new bolts i think. I had to losen up the rest to try and align them better so I probably need new bolts all around.

Billfitz · 03-31-2018, 03:39 PM

Yes, very carefully. You've still got bolts holding the top hats in place, you just don't have any holding the strut bar to them.

Insane435 · 03-31-2018, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Yes, very carefully. You've still got bolts holding the top hats in place, you just don't have any holding the strut bar to them.

It will be just a normal drive to my mechanic so he can retap. Going to order the 5 pack of bolts tn just to be safe

Insane435 · 04-05-2018, 05:13 PM

ordered a new top hat, received the wrong one..

Does anyone think I can use the top hat that has M8 bolts if my car is M10 bolts? The top hats line up the same...

Thoughts?

03-30-2018, 02:59 PM	#1
Insane435 Major 478 Rep 1,467 Posts Drives: 435ix M Sport EWG Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	Aluminum Bolt threads wont thread in... Recently installed coilovers and had to unbolt the factory strut brace in order to remove the top hats of the struts. When I went to reinstall my new one-time torx bolt/ the threads just get mashed and the bolt never goes in. I have burned through 2 of these bolts and do not know what to do. Is there a way i can re-thread the top hat or do i need to buy a new one now. Has anyone else experienced this? __________________ 2014 EBII 435ix - Stage 2+ Dragy: 0-60 3.61; 60-130 10.18 2020 MG M340ix - Dragy: 0-60 3.48 2018 LBB X4M40i - Stock Dragy: 0-60 4.85
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03-30-2018, 03:55 PM	#2
tpliquid Second Lieutenant 95 Rep 228 Posts Drives: f31 330i wagon Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: anaheim iTrader: (1)	When u start to thread the bolt in. Do you use hand or u start with a wrench?
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03-30-2018, 05:01 PM	#4
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Looks like the wrong size thread. You'll probably have to chase the threads in the top hat with a tap, if not re-tap entirely for a larger thread size bolt if they're stripped.
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03-30-2018, 05:10 PM	#5
B58 parts Captain 479 Rep 797 Posts Drives: '17 340ix 6MT Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: US iTrader: (0)	It looks like it's not lined up exactly right and you're starting to crossthread it. Try loosening the other bolts on the top hat and grab the black brace and move it around. The one side of mine didn't line up right away and required some shifting the brace to get the threads to smoothly engage. If you bricked the threads in the top hat .. just get a new one.
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03-30-2018, 09:12 PM	#9
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	It's very odd, especially as that unthreaded section at the tip is supposed to align the bolt when it's inserted so that it can't cross thread. As long as you have to buy a tap for the top hat get a die so you can salvage the bolts.
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03-31-2018, 02:43 PM	#10
Insane435 Major 478 Rep 1,467 Posts Drives: 435ix M Sport EWG Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	Can i drive the car with this whole brace removed? Im gonna put in all new bolts i think. I had to losen up the rest to try and align them better so I probably need new bolts all around.
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03-31-2018, 03:39 PM	#11
Billfitz Lieutenant General 8245 Rep 16,088 Posts Drives: '15 328iX GT Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	Yes, very carefully. You've still got bolts holding the top hats in place, you just don't have any holding the strut bar to them.
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04-05-2018, 05:13 PM	#13
Insane435 Major 478 Rep 1,467 Posts Drives: 435ix M Sport EWG Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Michigan iTrader: (1)	ordered a new top hat, received the wrong one.. Does anyone think I can use the top hat that has M8 bolts if my car is M10 bolts? The top hats line up the same... Thoughts? __________________ 2014 EBII 435ix - Stage 2+ Dragy: 0-60 3.61; 60-130 10.18 2020 MG M340ix - Dragy: 0-60 3.48 2018 LBB X4M40i - Stock Dragy: 0-60 4.85
	Appreciate 0 Quote