Top Strut Mount Bolts

[mmario 53]

Hi Chaps

Just finished my first big job on the E39 rather proud of myself however it was not without incident

Changed the front struts (OE Sachs) and all hardware, tie rod ends and sway bar links, hardest part of the job was seperating the balljoints and compressing the springs...sketchy.

I did manage however to snap off one of the strut mount bolts  , I was so angry at myself.

my question is..I have punched the old stud out, can I now just go and buy a bolt to fit and away we go ? , the old stud is just a press fit so its impossible to tighten once you have whacked it out. (can't grip it from the bottom).

Hopefully that's clear.

Edited November 12, 2023 by mmario

[Eagle 1679]

I remove and reuse those studs all the time. They have always gone back in fine using the same nut to draw them in and holding/pushing them up by hand.

I'd just get a 2nd hand one. They are stepped with splines so unless you get a bolt with with the same step or add small washer to fill in you are leaving a small gap. 

[mmario 53]

 

Yeah that's what I did at first, used one of the studs from the old mount , it's just spinning in place though when I try to tighten the nut.

I will try again using the same nut if I can get it off the broken stud.

Cheers

[Eagle 1679]

May of rounded out the hole a bit. Could try to lower the strut down and try to press it in with a c clamp. 

[mmario 53]

After much swearing and cursing eventually got it tight without taking the strut back out !

To anyone who has an E39 with worn suspension/struts man what a difference, just feels so good now.

Just ordered the rear rebuild kit !

[Eagle 1679]

Id wager the vast majority of cars on the road need new struts\shocks