[diirk]

Was working on the front suspension today and discovered that one of the bushing mount studs broke off. I'm going to throw in a standard bolt for now and see if I can find a replacement stud.

No idea how it happened, and getting a bolt in there is a pain.

[BowtieRocket]

I gotta check mine when I get it back. Nice catch OP!

[diirk]

I've been asked.

M8x25mm with Nylock was used after I hammered out the remains of the stud.

[Mountain]

Was an alternate front sway bar installed at some point?

[diirk]

No. Stock bar

[locktyght]

I broke mine when re torquing after the BMR sway bar install. I couldn't find an OEM replacement, so I used M8x25 as well. I have flogged the hell out of the car at 3 auto-x events since replacing it, I had paint marked the top and bottom, so far no movement!

I was scared shitless that it was an integrated piece in the sub frame, glad it was only pressed.

As well, hammering goes easier with a small amount of heat, and some candle wax. I used a little creme brule torch for pinpoint heat.

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/sto...rch/1013057451

[JaxChris]

I need to figure out what the loud clunk is in the front of mine as well. Can drive straight without much noise, but uneven surfaces sound like my suspension is blown.

So far I have 3 places to check from other peoples threads:
Sway bar bracket (like above)
Upper strut mount (hope not)
End link bushings (possible)

[locktyght]

Originally Posted by JaxChris

I need to figure out what the loud clunk is in the front of mine as well. Can drive straight without much noise, but uneven surfaces sound like my suspension is blown.

So far I have 3 places to check from other peoples threads:
Sway bar bracket (like above)
Upper strut mount (hope not)
End link bushings (possible)

I vote end link, check the bolt, may not even be the bushing.

Mine was only slightly loose and it made a terrible sound over uneven surfaces.

[Extreme Dimensions]

god that is sketchy ! think we should bring it up to gm or start a thread or other people with same issue?

[diirk]

I was pretty surprised by it. The only thing I can think of is that the lowering springs put too much preload on the sway bar, but then I would have expected the end link to bend rather than a stud snap.

[Extreme Dimensions]

Originally Posted by diirk

I was pretty surprised by it. The only thing I can think of is that the lowering springs put too much preload on the sway bar, but then I would have expected the end link to bend rather than a stud snap.

so i talked to some of my other car buddys and i guess the 5th gen camaro and new corvettes have had this also so sounds like a design flaw from gm

[Mountain]

That bolt is only specified to be tightened to like 15lb-ft. When I put in the 1LE/ZL1 front bar, I torqued them to 20lb-ft and it started to feel sketch. That stud must be made of metal with little ability for plastic deformation.

[JaxChris]

A lot of the suspension bolts are listed as one-time use by GM. It is really on us if we choose to remove and reinstall the same hardware. The question I would ask GM is why they don't use grade 8 steel hardware in the suspension. Is it purely for compliance or have they determine that softer hardware is easier to service? I think for those of us upgrading and swapping components, the "close enough" M8x25 bolts may be a necessity.

Wednesday I'm going to try to get the car on a lift and give it a full visual check. If anyone else can think of a possible culprit, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Cheers!

[diirk]

Originally Posted by JaxChris

A lot of the suspension bolts are listed as one-time use by GM. It is really on us if we choose to remove and reinstall the same hardware. The question I would ask GM is why they don't use grade 8 steel hardware in the suspension. Is it purely for compliance or have they determine that softer hardware is easier to service? I think for those of us upgrading and swapping components, the "close enough" M8x25 bolts may be a necessity.

Wednesday I'm going to try to get the car on a lift and give it a full visual check. If anyone else can think of a possible culprit, I'd appreciate a heads up.

Cheers!

Considering the part I'm referencing is a permanently mounted stud, it's not a one-time-use component. Unless you plan to replace the entire subframe every time you make a change to the suspension/sway bar.