So I installed a strut brace on our 9-3 convertible today and ran into an issue. One of the strut bolts ended up free spinning, the threaded insert broke free from the strut. I cut the head off the bolt and was going to just put the new fastener in with a nut on the bottom, I ended up not being able to reach the bolt to get the nut on.
I had an idea of maybe putting a Rivnut in the hole to tide us over until I replace the struts, I was planning on refreshing the suspension in the spring. Should I bite the bullet and swap the stuff now, let it ride with two bolts on the one side, Rivnut it or something else?
Bite the bullet and buy a new strut top mount.
If you are going to use two bolts put some marks with a paint pen so you can tell if it moves at all.
A new strut top mount is the long-term solution, for now could you get any other nut & bolt combination through the hole? Had a similar problem with the Joe Dirt Camaro and ended up putting a smaller bolt in through the bottom with a nut on top. I expect driving with just 2 bolts holding it in will deform the strut tower over time.
In reply to GameboyRMH :
I ended up ordering top mounts last night, but wish I had thought of running a bolt from the bottom yesterday. One of the bolt free spins on the other, drivers side, but I did not have to remove it for the install, I figured I may as well do both.
