Broke stud While Installing Strut Tower Brace

[amir_gh]

Hi all,

I broke the stud while installing a strut tower brace on my S650 Mustang. Should I take it to a mechanic or a body shop to get it fixed? Can I fix this?

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[dusman59]

Were you using a torque wrench? Im not sure if that stud is a bolt or pressed in stud. If you don't have the proper tools you could run into complications.

 

[rijndael]

That stud is part of the strut mount.

You sure about that? The strut mount has 3 bolts/nuts, it's the two silver nuts visible (2 o'clock and 6 o'clock), and a 3rd one under that plastic cover on the left.

 

[amir_gh]

Were you using a torque wrench? Im not sure if that stud is a bolt or pressed in stud. If you don't have the proper tools you could run into complications.

Yes I was using a torque wrench. I set it to 41 ft-lb . Not sure sure what happened. It's a stud

 

[dusman59]

Your right I just looked at mine. I assumed it was the same as my 2011 that used the upper mount studs for the strut brace. Guys were twisting them off all the time not using a torque wrench. My bad.

 

[roket]

so, good news: this was not one of the bolts in the strut
bad news: this was a bolt that is a part of the strut tower itself

 

[dusman59]

If it is not spot welded and have access you can pound it out and use a bolt with lock washer. It may just be pressed in.

 

[MustangNoob]

so, good news: this was not one of the bolts in the strut
bad news: this was a bolt that is a part of the strut tower itself

I asked ford about how to fix this and they told me I have to replace that whole part! Which means removing the whole thing and welding in back....even then ford technician told me to go and buy a bolt and do it cheap and dirty lol. Eventually I did a suspension work and a new stud was welded....
installing that whole thing is just ridiculous .....and crazy amount of money

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Damn. This is the 2nd person to post this happening. I'm never touching mine again after reading this. Sorry this happened @amir_gh

 

[LouG]

Yes I was using a torque wrench. I set it to 41 ft-lb . Not sure sure what happened. It's a stud

It might pay to check calibration of your torque wrench. Google the procedure.
I've got one torque wrench that sometimes doesn't reset, and overtightens without clicking.
Guess how I discovered that.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

It might pay to check calibration of your torque wrench. Google the procedure.
I've got one torque wrench that sometimes doesn't reset, and overtightens without clicking.
Guess how I discovered that.

41 ft-lbs isn't much. Even if his torque wrench isnt accurate it shouldn't be off enough to snap that stud like that.

 

[amir_gh]

Where should I take this to have it repaired? Can any mechanic shop do the work?

 

[MAT1955]

.....this is a VERY low torque bolt. Torque to 35 wait an hours or so then re-torque to 38 and leave it alone after that. Use a new nut EACH time as they are ONE use ONLY. The nuts FORM-FIT to the bolt. If you re-use a nut it will have "stretched" and will allow an over torque condition that will snap the bolt. You can drill-out the bolt/stud and fit a new one in as some have described above. More owners stretch and break wheel studs and tower studs than anything else.

 

[BYBO]

Happened to me. I drilled all the way through and added a long bolt. I got all kinds of shit, saying I used an impact etc. As you noticed, it doesn’t take much and if you search, it’s been an issue for years on the SAME bolt.

 

[Starship Enterprise]

.....this is a VERY low torque bolt. Torque to 35 wait an hours or so then re-torque to 38 and leave it alone after that. Use a new nut EACH time as they are ONE use ONLY. The nuts FORM-FIT to the bolt. If you re-use a nut it will have "stretched" and will allow an over torque condition that will snap the bolt. You can drill-out the bolt/stud and fit a new one in as some have described above. More owners stretch and break wheel studs and tower studs than anything else.

Reusing the nuts is the only thing that makes sense to me as far as creating potential problems.. I got the Ford Perf. Brace and it came with 4 new nuts along with instructions to tighten to 41. I had no problems.

amir, I hope you get it fixed with not too much cost or trouble. Can you tell us if you re-used the same nuts to tighten down the new brace? This thread might help someone avoid the same issue if the problem comes down to re-using the same nut.

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