Snapped stiffener brace bolt
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Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 11
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ML350
Snapped stiffener brace bolt
Brace resting on the side skirt. The bolt without a head is visible above it and a little to the right.
the brace has been moved into its correct position over the bolt but it seems a little short.
Hi
I just bought this car 2002 CLK320 convertible.
The first pic taken in a mirror, looking up at the stiffener brace (drivers (left) side rear) just next to the jacking hole. It seems the bolt holding the brace has had its head snapped off and the brace moved across and now rests on the side skirt. When I move the brace to its correct position the brace seems about 1/4" short - see pic 2.
The brace looks straight to me. The front is on ramps could this be just from flexing the body?
I guess there is no adjustment on these braces as they are meant to add rigidity.
The bolt is in tight and as a high tensile bolt difficult to drill into to remove. Any ideas?
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Joined: Nov 2020
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CLK230
Congrats on your purchase, I just got a 230Kompressor recently, my first Merc after 20 years on the road.
The front is on ramps could this be just from flexing the body?
No, to gain more play with brace & allow it to move over the hole, loosen other bolts on whatever it's attached too, the bumper bar or whatever. Then fasten them all up once you've got the busted bolt out of course.
The bolt is in tight and as a high tensile bolt difficult to drill into to remove. Any ideas?
Drill into it with a reasonably smaller dia drill bit enough to insert an eazyout, if it's high tensile be prepared to waste a few drill bits.
Hope this helps some, good luck!
The front is on ramps could this be just from flexing the body?
No, to gain more play with brace & allow it to move over the hole, loosen other bolts on whatever it's attached too, the bumper bar or whatever. Then fasten them all up once you've got the busted bolt out of course.
The bolt is in tight and as a high tensile bolt difficult to drill into to remove. Any ideas?
Drill into it with a reasonably smaller dia drill bit enough to insert an eazyout, if it's high tensile be prepared to waste a few drill bits.
Hope this helps some, good luck!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
ML350
Thanks. I did drill into the broken bolt and used an 'Easy-Out' to turn it out.
There was some adjustment at the back of the stiffener so I was able to close the gap.
Anyone know what the torque on these bolts should be?
There was some adjustment at the back of the stiffener so I was able to close the gap.
Anyone know what the torque on these bolts should be?
