Gear box bolts

[CASwede]

So, today I did get my 7 up on stands, and spent a lot of time following wires and inspecting all of the fun things I couldn't see by looking down into the engine bay.

The first thing that caught my eye were the bolts where I believe the gear box housing connects to the chassis. I would think this does not look correct.

IMG_1613.jpg

I'm thinking the car bottomed on something, shearing one bolt, and severely bending the other. I can't see any easy access to the top of the bolts. There is also a small bit of oil on the bolts, but my gear shifts have been easy and smooth. I can probably get the nut off the sheared bolt, and the bent bolt may snap if I put a wrench to the nut. Alternately, I could cut it with my sawzall. Main concern is how to replace them. I can feel above where the bolts appear to be inserted, but it's quite a tight fit to think I could pull the old bolt out and put a new one in. Thoughts?

And more joys of discovering all to know about a new car. While looking at the bolts, I noticed these little wires not connected to anything. I am assuming the brads on the gear box are where these wires go, and they are for the reverse lights, yes? If so, it makes sense they are disconnected, since I have no reverse lights installed.

IMG_1614.jpg

[moosetestbestanden]

So, today I did get my 7 up on stands, and spent a lot of time following wires and inspecting all of the fun things I couldn't see by looking down into the engine bay.

The first thing that caught my eye were the bolts where I believe the gear box housing connects to the chassis. I would think this does not look correct.



I'm thinking the car bottomed on something, shearing one bolt, and severely bending the other. I can't see any easy access to the top of the bolts. There is also a small bit of oil on the bolts, but my gear shifts have been easy and smooth. I can probably get the nut off the sheared bolt, and the bent bolt may snap if I put a wrench to the nut. Alternately, I could cut it with my sawzall. Main concern is how to replace them. I can feel above where the bolts appear to be inserted, but it's quite a tight fit to think I could pull the old bolt out and put a new one in. Thoughts?

And more joys of discovering all to know about a new car. While looking at the bolts, I noticed these little wires not connected to anything. I am assuming the brads on the gear box are where these wires go, and they are for the reverse lights, yes? If so, it makes sense they are disconnected, since I have no reverse lights installed.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]1262[/ATTACH]

You are correct on both counts. Those bolts are - were - too long and something made them shorter. You can get at them from both sides. Don't ask me how I know.

The wires are for the backup, erm, reversing light. Like paint, it's a thing of no value as all it does is add weight.:-O Get it off of the car. ;-)

[magnusfeuer]

I wouldn't worry about the oil on the bolts, they are probably from the engine.

The gearbox usually dribbles either from the main seal, or from the speedo pickup seal (shown to the right of your picture).

As for the bolts, anything should do. You may want to go grade 8 or 10.9 (forget what they were) when you replace them, but the gearbox-frame mating is fairly low precision, where it is mostly a question of lining everything up so that you can bolt it down.


/Magnus F.

[CASwede]

Thanks guys. I'll be excising and replacing this weekend.