Sheared Engine Mount Bracket Bolts

velorider562 · 12-08-2019, 06:52 PM

I found the head of one of the engine mounting bracket bolts on the metal access panel under the car. After further inspection I noticed a second sheared bolt. After some googling discovered this isn't uncommon. I would suggest every oil change removing this panel and check your bolts.

So today using a filed down flat head screw driver that I hammered into the remaining bolts to extract them. I replaced them with zinc bolts grade 8.8 with lots for anti-seize and will eventually replace those with oem bolts.

I was able to see a 3rd bolt, that I replaced so in the future I'm not extracting another sheared bolt.

My question, is there a 4th bolt and if so how do you access it. Looking at the oem bolts they come in sets of four so I suspect there must be a 4th.

MightyMouseTech · 12-08-2019, 08:01 PM

Yes, there are four bolts. One of them you can't really see, but there is a hole in the bracket towards the rear to access it.

velorider562 · 12-08-2019, 08:24 PM

I sure hope that one isn't sheared. Extracting a blind bolt sounds like a PITA.

noah.s · 12-08-2019, 11:16 PM

Just dealt with this recently! In my case, all 4 bolts were sheared off. The engine had dropped almost an inch on the drivers side.

velorider562 · 12-08-2019, 11:30 PM

I haven't even checked the drivers side. From reading thought this was more of an issue on the passenger side. Any good tricks for extracting the bolts.

avocet · 12-09-2019, 07:51 AM

Interesting... how old are the actual mounts? Do you have any vibration? Maybe your engine mounts are worn out and are hammering the support bolts?

Need to go check mine now...!

velorider562 · 12-09-2019, 02:25 PM

Vibration was normal. Definitely nothing that would explaining the bolts shearing. From Google'ing sounds like this isn't unusual on the passenger side. I would definitely periodically check.

I purchased the car 2 years ago, I assume the bolts are original. Not a typical replacement items I live in SoCal so these bolts had an easy life.

I assume the bolt I found sheared recently since it was still on the cover. I have no idea when the other sheared or the current status of the fourth bolt. It's possible only one bolt was securing the mount to the mount.

12-08-2019, 06:52 PM	#1
velorider562 New Member 9 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 10 328ix Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Sheared Engine Mount Bracket Bolts I found the head of one of the engine mounting bracket bolts on the metal access panel under the car. After further inspection I noticed a second sheared bolt. After some googling discovered this isn't uncommon. I would suggest every oil change removing this panel and check your bolts. So today using a filed down flat head screw driver that I hammered into the remaining bolts to extract them. I replaced them with zinc bolts grade 8.8 with lots for anti-seize and will eventually replace those with oem bolts. I was able to see a 3rd bolt, that I replaced so in the future I'm not extracting another sheared bolt. My question, is there a 4th bolt and if so how do you access it. Looking at the oem bolts they come in sets of four so I suspect there must be a 4th. Last edited by velorider562; 12-08-2019 at 06:57 PM..
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12-08-2019, 08:01 PM	#2
MightyMouseTech Major General 4338 Rep 6,196 Posts Drives: 13 135i 6MT LeMans Blue MSport Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Ottawa, Canada iTrader: (0)	Yes, there are four bolts. One of them you can't really see, but there is a hole in the bracket towards the rear to access it.
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12-08-2019, 08:24 PM	#3
velorider562 New Member 9 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 10 328ix Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I sure hope that one isn't sheared. Extracting a blind bolt sounds like a PITA.
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12-08-2019, 11:16 PM	#4
noah.s Lieutenant 94 Rep 447 Posts Drives: 2011 335i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Just dealt with this recently! In my case, all 4 bolts were sheared off. The engine had dropped almost an inch on the drivers side.
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12-08-2019, 11:30 PM	#5
velorider562 New Member 9 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 10 328ix Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	I haven't even checked the drivers side. From reading thought this was more of an issue on the passenger side. Any good tricks for extracting the bolts.
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12-09-2019, 07:51 AM	#6
avocet Major 252 Rep 1,157 Posts Drives: 2007 328i 2011 X5d Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Vancouver bc iTrader: (0)	Interesting... how old are the actual mounts? Do you have any vibration? Maybe your engine mounts are worn out and are hammering the support bolts? Need to go check mine now...!
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12-09-2019, 02:25 PM	#7
velorider562 New Member 9 Rep 21 Posts Drives: 10 328ix Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: Long Beach, CA iTrader: (0)	Vibration was normal. Definitely nothing that would explaining the bolts shearing. From Google'ing sounds like this isn't unusual on the passenger side. I would definitely periodically check. I purchased the car 2 years ago, I assume the bolts are original. Not a typical replacement items I live in SoCal so these bolts had an easy life. I assume the bolt I found sheared recently since it was still on the cover. I have no idea when the other sheared or the current status of the fourth bolt. It's possible only one bolt was securing the mount to the mount. Last edited by velorider562; 12-09-2019 at 02:33 PM..
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