think I really screwed myself...need help with steering rack

I'm in the middle of replacing my LCA and steering rack bushings. Everything's going great until I put the wrong bolt into the middle steering rack mount, the one that has the welded nut on the bottom of the crossmember.

I used the one that is supposed to go in the U-shaped bracket on the pass. side. So I go to torque it down and realize that it's not torquing, it just keeps turning. Then I realized my mistake and tried to take it out, and it won't come out. I got it to come out about half an inch maybe, and then it just turns but won't back out any more. As I was loosening it I saw some metal shavings come out so I know I've damaged the threads on either the bolt or the welded nut.

So I thought maybe it needs some upward pressure to help drive it up and out, so I put a jack underneath where the bolt comes out of the crossmember and applied some pressure there while trying to back it out. Just turns, doesn't want to come out any farther.

first question, how do I get this bolt out without hacking up the crossmember? second question, how screwed am I? do I need to cut the nut off the crossmember and weld a new one on? I am wondering if a shop would be able to take care of this if I can get it to one, since that would be beyond my capabilities (don't have a welder, can't weld anyway).

OR could I leave that bolt in there (it's clearly not going anywhere) and get a replacement bolt for the pass. side bracket, and just have that bracket and the big driver side bolt torqued down? Not sure how sketchy that would be lol but that is definitely the easiest option here

 

Please take some pictures of what your dealing with. Just what are you working on that would help .

Much easier to figure things out being able to see.

There is no way to know what damage has been done till things get taken a part.

 

here are a couple photos showing the bottom and top of the bolt. Going by the diagram, I put bolt B where bolt A should have gone.

 

If you were close to me I would be glad to help fix that.

Always good to let people know where you are post in your local or regional forum.

We all make mistakes it happens. Just curious why when things felt wrong you did not stop and wonder what is wrong

How are you fixed for tools your steering rack needs to be removed so you have room to work.

The bolt is ruined maybe the female threads as well very possible.

Have any friends that are good with this type of work. That bolt needs to be removed you can try prying up on the bolt while trying to turn it out. Break out the torch with out the skill it is possible to do more damage.

Once things are apart it is possible to see what fix is needed.

It is not the end of the world .

 

No need to weld anything....but you need to get the bolt out...cut, drill, etc. Once you've done that, drill out the existing thread and just put a nut on the bottom.

 

The bolt needs to come out.
Worst case, you could drill it out from the bottom.
Cut the end off flat with a Dremel, and drill it.

If done right, you should not get into the threads of the “nut”.
And there might be a possibility of restoring the threads.

The hard part will be keeping the drill straight.

 

This type of work is where the mag drill really shines.

I have built all kinds of fixtures to use it over the years.

 

Thanks for the kind words. It is easy to to panic when something like this happens (for me anyway haha). The bolt did go in easily enough that I didn't think anything of it until it wouldn't torque. Then I realized I had put in the wrong one.

Ah I don't know why that didn't occur to me, that's a great solution. All right well I think I'm feeling more confident about this. Thanks everyone for the helpful replies!

 

This is more of an inconvenience than
a problem. You’ll be fine.

Finding the right size bolt might be harder than getting it out.

 

We all make mistakes. Fix it and think of all the others you helped by learning from your misfortune

good luck

 

While I'd not design something with a nut that bears on a piece of tube (like in this scenario)...it will will create the appropriate clamp and work fine. The alternative is to cut it out and weld a new nut, but that's sorta the same as just adding a nut. If you get the bolt out and have a reasonable means to remove the current threaded tube and make it effectively a bracket, without enlarging the hole in the bracket...then do that and use a nut. If you don't, then just add a nut.

I have a mill and a lathe in my shop, so if I was stuck in your current position, I'd machine a piece of tube and cut enough of it away to slide over the bolt underneath the head...leaving a wee bit of room, then I'd throw a nut on it and since the threads are obviously compromised...the bolt would pull down snug around my spacer and create the appropriate clamp needed, then I'd call it a day.

 

@ponderosa that bolt on top won't come out if any of the other bolts are in, take them all out and wiggle or maneuver the rack to get it out

the first time I took the rack off I broke the welded nut off cause I thought it was a separate nut/bolt combo. I still use it 'cause it still grips. that one kind of just keep the rack centered (no bushing on this one)

 

It never hurts to walk away take a break and think about your options .

I have been doing this so long I forget the simple things because i never think just do them. With all the rack hardware loose that bolt might just pop right out.

If you can get a hydraulic bottle Jack under the bolt very careful try to push the bolt up and out .

If you start to lift the truck it is not working!!!

Once it is flush a smaller diameter bolt on top the jack it should push out . ( very easy I hope)

Always try the easy way first you have nothing to loose.

Best of Luck!