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TC crossmember broken bolts.

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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 09:38 PM
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Default TC crossmember broken bolts.

I needed to drop my TC after my lift install for my driveline vibs. I have the rusty's TC drop kit. It said I needed to remove the stud. So, I tried the double nut trick, vise grips and still nothing. I ended up breaking two nuts, one on each side.

I cut an hole on the side of the frame to gain access to the remaining stud. I see that it has a welded on plate for the stud to screw on. I cannot get the welded plate loose for me to install new nut and weld the nut and cover back on.

Any advice?

Right now I am running the TC with one new bolt on each side. I know this is not safe but I had to call it a night at the shop I work at.
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Old Dec 23, 2011 | 10:21 PM
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I thought about cutting out the original mounting points for new steel plate along with welded on new nuts. What size metal thickness should I go with? I'm going to overlap the frame a tad, like cut the hole a tad smaller than the new steel plate and then the plate sit on top of it.
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 01:13 PM
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Anyone?
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 01:24 PM
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I had similar issue just drill the bolt out. I went over sized and put my own nut and bolt in there
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 01:43 PM
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I tried that. Ending up breaking my tap tool.
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 02:51 PM
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Just drill the entire thing out dont even worry about the tap since u already got a hole cut in there u can just put a nut and bolt on there.
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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When u find a solution let me know I got one bolt out an broke one flush to frame
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 03:01 PM
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What abt the welded on plate? Drill through it? Can't exactly sit a nut on the raised portion of the welded plate.
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 03:15 PM
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Thats what i did man i just tightened it down as much as possible. Also when drilling the hole a lil bigger it kinda took the raised edge off that plate where they threaded it. Its held up great for me
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 03:18 PM
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I kno its not the best idea or how i would do it if it was a customer car at the dealer but it works
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 03:20 PM
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Good point. Never thought about that. I got so fustrated and quit for a day. I hated that I had to cut a hole on the side of the uni-frame. Any advice while drilling?
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 03:27 PM
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Yea i cut my hole thru the floor board i was pissed the DAPO stripped the threads at some point. As far as drilling if u have access to a lift use it and just go slow so u dont burn up the drill bit. Also take a centering punch and give it a whack on the bolt so ur bit doesnt wander much. And def try not to break the drill bit in there cause then ur really gonna be pissed. Oh and prolly use two or three diff size bits starting smaller and working ur way up.
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 04:07 PM
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I cut mine right above where the TC crossmember mounts on. I might give this a try later on this week. In mean time will it be safe to run one bolt each until then?
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 04:19 PM
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Yea u will prolly be okay just take it easy till its done
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Old Dec 24, 2011 | 04:41 PM
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Alright.
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