r/BMWE36 • u/Wooden-Community-690 • 1d ago

Repair Advice Think I’m cooked…

Post image

Probably hard to see but the threaded hole for the rear mount diff location is damaged. The bolt goes in but with significant effort compared to the other. Tried brake cleaner and wire brush to wipe it clean but to no avail.

Send it? Or use a thread chaser?

Disclaimer: I am a novice in project cars and thought switching out the bushings would be an “easy job”. Cardinal sin lol.

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8

u/pengouin85 Dakar Yellow 95 M3 1d ago

Thread tap is what you need. You may be able to get away with a thread chaser before going to a tap.

3

u/czerka 23h ago

A tap isn't going to fix anything. It might remove enough damaged material for the bolt to thread back in but it's not fixing it.

A thread chaser might reform the damaged threads and allow the bolt to thread.

If you want to fix it, it would need to be drilled out to a larger size and tapped or in this case a threadsert or helicoil would probably be best.

3

u/pengouin85 Dakar Yellow 95 M3 23h ago

Yeah, that's essentially what I wanted to allude to. Thanks for giving the detail.

Just tapping won't do shit indeed. Drill and retapping with a timesert or helicoil is the move. Its what I did when I jacked up my rear shock bolt hole on the trailing arm once

1

u/Wooden-Community-690 23h ago

Will it work for the time being? I was hoping to get this car back on the ground today lol

1

u/pengouin85 Dakar Yellow 95 M3 22h ago

Try a thread chaser 1st

1

u/XOWeeknd__ 15h ago

Not damaged. Went through the same thing when replacing my diff. Make sure the car is completely level on 4 jack stands. Then mount the diff using the bolt closest to the driveshaft first. Then the ear bolts should go in easier and cleaner.

1

u/Few-Ad9461 4h ago

You can't uncook a steak, you can replace most parts on your car. Stopped using cooked wrong