[PARANOlD]

Hi, was on the last bolt of my M3 rear control arm install today and reached the top hole in the spindle for the upper wishbone that takes this bolt:

Securing Bolt: 33306795821

Anyway - it was slightly cross threaded so I used some muscle and tried to get it back on track. After backing it out, I could tell the threads on the bolt are messed up, which means the spindle is too.

Are there any options for drilling this out and putting in a new bolt? Has anyone done this? I'd like to avoid replacing the spindle, obviously.

Peeps have had good luck using a Time-Sert on the lower spindle area when toe arm installs go awry; the top one should have enough room for you to drill it out and just put a nut on it though.

[PARANOlD]

Yeah good call. Maybe I'll just go get a longer M12X1 and nut and just drill it out.

[feuer]

Try to drive the bolt from the other side to fix the damaged treads first. If that does not work longer bolt with nut will do at FCobra94 said above.

[drunkenup]

I screwed that thread up earlier this year, but only the first 2/3 threads. I was able to save the existing thread by running a tap in the original size. I'm not sure you can run a bolt through the other end; iirc the thread ends just before the hole on the other end.