Snapped Subframe bolt

[Big Jim <cyng@lamere.net>]

Hello.

   Was putting in the Whipple mount (Turn2) on my '95 GLX tonight.

   You got the motor mount cover plate, which is attached to the subfrome 
via three 30mm nuts, then the mount itself is attached through the centre 
with a 8mm Allen. I was removing the 3 nuts. Snappo. Bolt snapped 
cleanly. Got the new mount on, put the two remaining bolts to hold the 
cover plate on.

   Took the car for a burn, drove fine. Drove really nicely, in fact. 
Tighter, stiffer. Better throttle response? Probably just imagining 
things. Nice over the bumps, though. I'm unfortunate enough to have the 
stock suspension, still, and the engine bounces around alot on those 
bumps, especially while cornering. Doesn't bounce around any more. Can I 
sound more like a commercial for the Turn2 mount? Good stuff.

   Came back from my little test run. Checked the cover. Still tight. Yet 
... damn.

   Question. Are all three bolts necessary? Am I gonna dump my engine 
next time I'm going down the highway? The central Allen bolt holds the 
mount on ... but does it all rest on the cover? Doesn't seem so, but I 
dunno.

   Question. Is the bolt which snapped part of the subframe, or just a 
bolt secured inside the hollow subframe? Couldn't tell. It just sticks 
out the bottom. If the former, anybody know what's involved in replacing 
a subframe? If the latter, guess I'll have to take the subframe off 
anyway and open it in half to replace the bolt.

   It's going in on Thursday for recall stuff (hood latch, couple other 
things), and I got a coupon in the mail for a free oil change, so it'll 
get new oil, too. If they discover the snapped bolt (they probably will), 
do I act stupid, or confess to the heresy of my crimes?

   Regardless ... kind of sucks. But I do like my first impression of the 
tigher motor mount. Stock one's like a rubber band. Squishy. I recommend 
the upgrade. Took ten minutes. Bought one for my brother for his 
birthday. Put that one on his '92 Corrado SLC tonight, too. His fricken 
7-year-old bolts didn't snap. Pisser.

   TIA.

-T
'95 Vento GLX (black/black),
K+N drop-in
Airbox snorkel removed, snow screen removed
Neuspeed upper tie-bar
AirCondition mod
Some other stuff
... and a Turn2 motor mount ... Snapped Bolt Edition.

Zip-zap ... zip-zap ... it's Tom ... Tom Boyer ... cyng@lamere.net!
         ... who cares?