BMR BK063 Rear Cradle Lockout Kit WARNING

kwav8r · 05-07-2019, 12:19 PM

Guys,
This is ongoing but wanted to get it out there that if you have one of these kits that you plan on installing in a '17+ Camaro - do not re-use the factory OEM bolts for the cradle. The OEM bolts (all 4) are only about $40 total from the dealer.

Long story short, in installing mine I was torquing down the last of the four OEM cradle bolts to 120ft/lbs as per their instructions. In doing so, I felt the bolt stretch and stopped, I did not get 120 ft/lbs on it.

13 days later as I'm driving it (mine is not a daily driver), I felt and heard a "pop" in the rear end and felt that something with the rear end was off. Pulled over to a spot where I could get under the car and saw that the bolt in question was missing.

Realizing I had no idea what to do, I called the dealer and had the car towed to them. Sure enough they found the bolt had broken off in the bolt hole (consistent with shearing the bolt off). Dealer also let me know that the bolts on the '17+ Camaro are Torque-to-yield, one-time use only. Think they are going to try extracting it today but because of the frame will have to make an extra long extraction bit, or if all else fails, take out the rear cradle to get the bolt out.

Called BMR to let them know and figure out what we are gonna do. Owner, through one of his techs, let me know that yes, their instructions (BMR's) are wrong the cradle bolts are TTY, one-time use only and they are in the process of redoing the instructions. But, because they have installed this kit on 'hundreds' of cars without any issues they are not responsible for anything. They did, however, offer me a coupon code for a future purchase from BMR- so I got that going for me (heavy sarcasm).

Rodan · 05-07-2019, 12:34 PM

Well, that's just great...

17CamaroZL1 · 05-07-2019, 12:36 PM

That sucks!! Thanks for the warning! I will be doing this or the solid bushings at some point.

Rodan · 05-07-2019, 12:40 PM

Anyone have the part numbers for the bolts handy? I'm assuming it's just the main bolts, not the brace bolts?

Edit for reference: Front bolts 11547921, rear bolts 11611819.

It would be really nice if GM would note in the part description that they were TTY... it would save us a lot of headaches.

ZL1Fan24 · 05-07-2019, 12:42 PM

Those are factory torque to yield bolts. Torque to yield hardware should not be re-used. They should always be replaced.

Rodan · 05-07-2019, 12:50 PM

Thanks, Captain Obvious...

The problem is that some of us installed this kit after being specifically told by the vendor that they were NOT TTY.

I would gladly have bought the bolts if I had know they were TTY. Now, I have car that's arguably unsafe to drive until I can obtain and install them.

likerage · 05-07-2019, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwav8r

Dealer also let me know that the bolts on the '17+ Camaro are Torque-to-yield, one-time use only.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1Fan24

Those are factory torque to yield bolts. Torque to yield hardware should not be re-used. They should always be replaced.

You don't say.

Rodan · 05-07-2019, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwav8r

Called BMR to let them know and figure out what we are gonna do. Owner, through one of his techs, let me know that yes, their instructions (BMR's) are wrong the cradle bolts are TTY, one-time only use only and they are in the process of redoing the instructions. But, because they have installed this kit on 'hundreds' of cars without any issues they are not responsible for anything.

Just re-read this... wishful thinking on BMR's part. If someone crashes because their rear cradle detatches at speed due to broken bolts, BMR is going to have some splainin' to do...

Mark R · 05-07-2019, 02:48 PM

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered the 4 bolts from GM parts guy.

Artos · 05-07-2019, 06:08 PM

Rodan,

How many of each??

Edit for reference: Front bolts 11547921, rear bolts 11611819.

~~~~~~~

Also, I am pending the arrival of the upper / lower trailer & control arms from BMR as well...are any of the fasteners the same one time use or am I good to go with what I have??

Stealth7 · 05-07-2019, 06:28 PM

Hard to imagine that a company would want to risk a reputation for disastrous customer service over $40 in bolts... .

I have no dog in this matter, but the situation (vendor position) is hard to understand.

Jason18ZL1LE · 05-07-2019, 06:42 PM

I thought it was well known that pretty much every chassis and suspension bolt on the 6th gen was TTY?

Joshinator99 · 05-07-2019, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rodan

Just re-read this... wishful thinking on BMR's part. If someone crashes because their rear cradle detatches at speed due to broken bolts, BMR is going to have some splainin' to do...

Ha, “splainin’” is a polite way to say it. BMR would be found absolutely negligent and would be on the hook for significant damages. They instructed people to reuse the factory bolts, which was obviously just flat wrong. And it’s in writing (in their own instructions), so it would be an open-and-shut case. It would never even get to a jury...

I wonder if the factory bolts could be crossed over to a high quality bolt (like ARP)... this would be significantly stronger in addition to being reusable.

Mcmillion · 05-07-2019, 08:04 PM

Thanks for the warning, this is the next thing I want to do.

05-07-2019, 12:19 PM	#1
kwav8r Flyin NOE Drives: 2018 ZL1 (A10) Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: TX Posts: 949	BMR BK063 Rear Cradle Lockout Kit WARNING Guys, This is ongoing but wanted to get it out there that if you have one of these kits that you plan on installing in a '17+ Camaro - do not re-use the factory OEM bolts for the cradle. The OEM bolts (all 4) are only about $40 total from the dealer. Long story short, in installing mine I was torquing down the last of the four OEM cradle bolts to 120ft/lbs as per their instructions. In doing so, I felt the bolt stretch and stopped, I did not get 120 ft/lbs on it. 13 days later as I'm driving it (mine is not a daily driver), I felt and heard a "pop" in the rear end and felt that something with the rear end was off. Pulled over to a spot where I could get under the car and saw that the bolt in question was missing. Realizing I had no idea what to do, I called the dealer and had the car towed to them. Sure enough they found the bolt had broken off in the bolt hole (consistent with shearing the bolt off). Dealer also let me know that the bolts on the '17+ Camaro are Torque-to-yield, one-time use only. Think they are going to try extracting it today but because of the frame will have to make an extra long extraction bit, or if all else fails, take out the rear cradle to get the bolt out. Called BMR to let them know and figure out what we are gonna do. Owner, through one of his techs, let me know that yes, their instructions (BMR's) are wrong the cradle bolts are TTY, one-time use only and they are in the process of redoing the instructions. But, because they have installed this kit on 'hundreds' of cars without any issues they are not responsible for anything. They did, however, offer me a coupon code for a future purchase from BMR- so I got that going for me (heavy sarcasm). Last edited by kwav8r; 05-09-2019 at 06:36 AM.

05-07-2019, 12:36 PM	#3
17CamaroZL1 Life's Short, Live Fast! Drives: 2017 Hyper Blue A10 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: London, KY Posts: 2,015	That sucks!! Thanks for the warning! I will be doing this or the solid bushings at some point. __________________ Life's Short, Live Fast! https://youtu.be/rTUv2p4T7OA 10.94 at 128 mph, 11.13 at 127mph 870 DA, https://youtu.be/e_X_LcpFp50 11.19 at 127mph 1100 DA, https://youtu.be/OXQiCQdQuH4 11.40 at 125mph 1800 DA https://youtu.be/uWba1qs8M6Q 11.52 at 123mph 3500 DA TZQPHG '17 ZL1 HBM\|A10\|Nav\|PDR\|CFW Hood\|ZL1 Mats 12/26/2016 Ordered! 2/8/2017 Built!! 3/2/2017 Brought Home!!!

05-07-2019, 12:40 PM	#4
Rodan Drives: 2018 ZL1 coupe Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 589	Anyone have the part numbers for the bolts handy? I'm assuming it's just the main bolts, not the brace bolts? Edit for reference: Front bolts 11547921, rear bolts 11611819. It would be really nice if GM would note in the part description that they were TTY... it would save us a lot of headaches. Last edited by Rodan; 05-07-2019 at 01:42 PM.

05-07-2019, 12:42 PM	#5
ZL1Fan24 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: CHICAGO NW SUBURBS Posts: 43	Those are factory torque to yield bolts. Torque to yield hardware should not be re-used. They should always be replaced. __________________ *2018 ZL1, CALLAWAY SC750, NFG, 6 Speed, Carbon Fiber Hood Insert, PDR, Carbon Fiber Dash, Tony Mamo V2 TB, Borla S-Type Cat Back Exhaust (Carbon Tips), Hurst Short Shifter, Eibach Performance Springs, IROC Blade Spoiler, GM Dark Lens Kit/Reflectors, Diode Dynamics Smoked LED Side Markers, Wildhammer Carbon Steering Wheel, CF Shift Knob, Titanium Lug Nuts*

05-07-2019, 02:48 PM	#9
Mark R Drives: 2018 ZL-1 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Albuquerque Posts: 948	Yikes! Thanks for the heads up. I just ordered the 4 bolts from GM parts guy. Last edited by Mark R; 05-07-2019 at 03:23 PM.

05-07-2019, 12:34 PM	#2
Rodan Drives: 2018 ZL1 coupe Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 589	Well, that's just great...

05-07-2019, 12:50 PM	#6
Rodan Drives: 2018 ZL1 coupe Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Prescott, Arizona Posts: 589	Thanks, Captain Obvious... The problem is that some of us installed this kit after being specifically told by the vendor that they were NOT TTY. I would gladly have bought the bolts if I had know they were TTY. Now, I have car that's arguably unsafe to drive until I can obtain and install them.

05-07-2019, 06:08 PM	#10
Artos Drives: A10 LT4 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Deep South TX Posts: 1,094	Rodan, How many of each?? Edit for reference: Front bolts 11547921, rear bolts 11611819. ~~~~~~~ Also, I am pending the arrival of the upper / lower trailer & control arms from BMR as well...are any of the fasteners the same one time use or am I good to go with what I have??

05-07-2019, 06:28 PM	#11
Stealth7 Drives: Gen V Viper GTS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 260	Hard to imagine that a company would want to risk a reputation for disastrous customer service over $40 in bolts... . I have no dog in this matter, but the situation (vendor position) is hard to understand.

05-07-2019, 06:42 PM	#12
Jason18ZL1LE Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 134	I thought it was well known that pretty much every chassis and suspension bolt on the 6th gen was TTY? __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE - Summit White 529whp Baseline / 760whp 762tq ARH Ceramic Coated LTH 1 7/8" \ ATI 15% Lower \ RotoFab Big Gulp \ Katech 103mm TB \ Ported Blower \ DSX Fuel System \ Flex Fuel E85 \ Custom Cam \ Dual Springs \ Corsa Exhaust \ Prospeed Heat Exchanger \ Cordes Big3\ C&R Racing Radiator \ LS3 Stat housing \ 160* Thermostat \ NX Lid

05-07-2019, 08:04 PM	#14
Mcmillion Drives: 2018 ZL1 1998 SS 1992 Typhoon Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: RR Posts: 262	Thanks for the warning, this is the next thing I want to do.

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