Front track bar bracket hole is distorted

BlueRidge304

BlueRidge304

TJ Enthusiast
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Messages
213
Location
WV
Flag nut broke while removing OEM front track bar. I tried to get a 15mm wrench in from the drivers side but couldn't get it to bite - bolt & nut kept spinning. I am replacing the track bar with an OEM equivalent (Moog DS1235) so ended up cutting through the old rubber bushing, bolt sleeve, and bolt in order to preserve the mount. I tried to be careful with the cutting blade but ended up getting into the backside of the mount a little and the hole is now slightly distorted.
I am not sure if this is an application for a lock washer & regular nut, so ordered the ARP bolt and heavy duty flag nut from @mrblaine. I'd like some advice on the back mount hole. Is it ok to install the new bolt & flag nut despite the back hole being slightly distorted? Will the two sides of the mount still be able to clamp to the end of the bolt sleeve and stop it from moving with the back hole like this?

tb1.jpg


tb2.jpg


tb3.jpg


tb4.jpg
 
BlueRidge304 said:
Flag nut broke while removing OEM front track bar. I tried to get a 15mm wrench in from the drivers side but couldn't get it to bite - bolt & nut kept spinning. I am replacing the track bar with an OEM equivalent (Moog DS1235) so ended up cutting through the old rubber bushing, bolt sleeve, and bolt in order to preserve the mount. I tried to be careful with the cutting blade but ended up getting into the backside of the mount a little and the hole is now slightly distorted.
I am not sure if this is an application for a lock washer & regular nut, so ordered the ARP bolt and heavy duty flag nut from @mrblaine. I'd like some advice on the back mount hole. Is it ok to install the new bolt & flag nut despite the back hole being slightly distorted? Will the two sides of the mount still be able to clamp to the end of the bolt sleeve and stop it from moving with the back hole like this?

View attachment 340575

View attachment 340576

View attachment 340577

View attachment 340578
Click to expand...

That is a bit tough but give it a shot, if you tear up the bolt and nut, get in touch and I'll send out another one AFTER you fix the back side. No impact use on the bolt, they don't like it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: BlueRidge304
Thanks @mrblaine. Appreciate the advice on not using an impact to prevent galling. I'll run the new bolt and nut with the back side hole as it is and see how that goes. If the bolt and nut are unhappy, i'll get in touch after repairing the back side mounting hole.

What torque value for the new bolt - ~50 ft-lbs. with some blue Loctite?

Thanks again.
 
Jerry Bransford said:
It's not so much to prevent galling as it is to prevent breaking the bolt. That bolt has a nasty habit of snapping if it gets over-tightened.
Click to expand...

The ARP bolt we use only breaks when it seizes in the nut from using an impact and then gets tightened or loosened further. I run them to 55 ft lbs lubed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkylinesSuck and Jerry Bransford
BlueRidge304 said:
Thanks @mrblaine. Appreciate the advice on not using an impact to prevent galling. I'll run the new bolt and nut with the back side hole as it is and see how that goes. If the bolt and nut are unhappy, i'll get in touch after repairing the back side mounting hole.

What torque value for the new bolt - ~50 ft-lbs. with some blue Loctite?

Thanks again.
Click to expand...

55 lubed. According to ARP, threads and under the head.
 
  • Like
Reactions: SkylinesSuck and BlueRidge304
BlueRidge304 said:
Perfect thanks!
Click to expand...

Wanted to follow up on this. Wow this is a high quality fastener...nicest i've ever seen. The HD flag nut is equally impressive. Torqued to 55 ft lbs, there are no vibrations, no wobbling, and the clamping force is strong enough so the bolt is not moving back and forth in the hole. Thanks @mrblaine

tbb1.jpg
 
  • Like
  • USA Proud
Reactions: SkylinesSuck, L J, psrivats and 6 others
Jerry Bransford said:
It's not so much to prevent galling as it is to prevent breaking the bolt. That bolt has a nasty habit of snapping if it gets over-tightened.
Click to expand...

Not sure how I missed this one but, no, they don't have a nasty habit of snapping when overtightened. What happens is folks don't lube them and then use an impact which galls the threads and seizes it in the nut. They then break the bolt trying to tighten it or back them out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Jerry Bransford
BlueRidge304 said:
Wanted to follow up on this. Wow this is a high quality fastener...nicest i've ever seen. The HD flag nut is equally impressive. Torqued to 55 ft lbs, there are no vibrations, no wobbling, and the clamping force is strong enough so the bolt is not moving back and forth in the hole. Thanks @mrblaine

View attachment 352443
Click to expand...

Keep an eye on it. If you have a problem with the bolt or nut, I'll take care of it.
 
  • Like
  • USA Proud
Reactions: L J, BlueRidge304 and MountaineerTom
mrblaine said:
Not sure how I missed this one but, no, they don't have a nasty habit of snapping when overtightened. What happens is folks don't lube them and then use an impact which galls the threads and seizes it in the nut. They then break the bolt trying to tighten it or back them out.
Click to expand...
It never saw an impact wrench.
 
To clarify, I snapped the OE factory bolt, not the bolt and flag nut from Blaine at Black Magic I've been running for years.
 
Top Bottom
Back