S3 Exhaust Support Bolt

[jay jay bee]

The bolt supporting the exhaust system when it emerges from the engine bay has become loose. On tightening the bolt it just spins I assume the is a bolt the other side access appears to be only if you remove the passenger side footwell panel or remove the floor plan any advice greatly appreciated.

[DCL]

Depending on the age of your car, this is a metric or imperial bolt that is in a threaded bush that is welded in the frame. There were cars around the change over date 2007-2008 that were supplied with imperial bolts in metric threads (IIRC 10mm bush, and 7/16 bolt). They can strip the thread, and it is worth checking if the car is metric or imperial chassis and what bolt has been used.

Edited by DCL on Wednesday 11th September 11:22

[jay jay bee]

It’s a 2007 metric chassis I thought it might have been the case a welded bush with no access
Many thanks for your reply

Edited by jay jay bee on Wednesday 11th September 14:53

[BertBert]

DCL said:

Depending on the age of your car, this is a metric or imperial bolt that is in a threaded bush that is welded in the frame. There were cars around the change over date 2007-2008 that were supplied with imperial bolts in metric threads (IIRC 10mm bush, and 7/16 bolt). They can strip the thread, and it is worth checking if the car is metric or imperial chassis and what bolt has been used.

Edited by DCL on Wednesday 11th September 11:22

If that's the case it will be 3/8 not 7/16 (just to be pedantic). It may be that the thread in the bush is good enough for an M10 bolt. Otherwise perhaps a helicoil might do the trick. Not my favourite thing, but if needs must...

And to say how ghastly by Caterham if that's who did it!!