Broken Drive Shaft Support

[bmorgan5]

Sooo - anyone have any experience with something like this? Looks like bolt hole broke away from the car. I was thinking I could weld it back on, but I thought maybe someone here might have another idea.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B0zQ6h ... sp=sharing

[Tuc124]

Looks like rust was the cause. Might be too rusty to weld. Maybe bolt in a square plate with a nut welded to the center of the plate. I did something similar with the front swat bar mount that was rusted due to battery acid dripping.

Blair. Aka Tuc124

[vandor]

You definitely need to check how far the rust goes and reinforce that area. You can then just drill a 8mm hole in the right location, drop down a bolt from above, and weld the head of the bolt to the floorpan.

[bmorgan5]

Thanks guys. I guess I'll get to proddin' on the thing. See how it holds up. That might be easier than welding it back on.

[bmorgan5]

You guys were right - rust. And lots of it.

It's been over a year and what have I gotten myself into. After pulling back the carpet, I found all kinds of problems. I had to cut out about 50% of the floors out including the cross member and seat towers on the passenger side. At one point you could sit in the back seat and put your feet on the ground below the car. But I'm almost finished welding everything back in. It's been a ton of work, but after I seal it with some Por 15 and rubberize it, it'll be better than new.

But I have one issue - I want replace the rubber gaskets on the driveshaft support brace but I cannot seem to source these parts. I have contacted the guys at AutoRicambi and they said to post here. In the attached diagram, it's parts 11, 12, 14 - 19 (basically everything in that area except the brace itself.) I'm sure I can source the bolt, washer, and nut without issue. But the rubber parts will be a bit tougher. Anyone has any thoughts?

https://goo.gl/photos/J3N7yzzocYK7xFS49

Please let me know if there is an issue with that link. Thank you.

[toplessexpat]

I had to do the same (and the same patch with a welded bolt fix for the support!). I bought an assortment box of rubber grommets and and assorted box of rubber washers. In there I found a grommet that fitted really rather well.

[baltobernie]

Post in Parts Wanted. There's a guy who has sourced them, but doesn't bother reading posts except in that heading.

[bmorgan5]

Awesome info. Thank you both for your quick responses.

[azruss]

Go to a hardware store with bracket and find a grommet that will fit the hole. Might want to use a fender washer on each side, kind of like a shock mount.

[bmorgan5]

Go to a hardware store with bracket and find a grommet that will fit the hole. Might want to use a fender washer on each side, kind of like a shock mount.

Yeah - I was thinking that as a second choice. I was kinda hoping someone on here had a tried and true solution. But you're right - can't be that hard to figure it out. I appreciate the direction.

[aj81spider]

I'm not sure (it was a while ago), but I'm pretty sure I used the radiator grommets that AutoRicambi sells when I replaced mine.

[bmorgan5]

That's an interesting thought. The first thing I did when I decided I need to source these was to send AutoRicambi and email. They replied I should post here for help. Maybe they don't know that some of their parts work in other applications. I'll look into it. Sure would be nice.

Someone over on my wanted parts post suggested I just take the bracket to the hardware store and go through their grommets until I find one that fit.

[DieselSpider]

Someone over on my wanted parts post suggested I just take the bracket to the hardware store and go through their grommets until I find one that fit.

You may be amazed what you may find in the metal draws of misc hardware at Loews, Ace or Home Depot. You might take a gander in the plumbing isle too however stopping by a few auto parts stores on your way to the hardware store could reveal them in automotive grade right out on the shelf.

[bmorgan5]

Thanks Diesel. I slept on it and I think I'm gonna do just that. I figure if I have the bracket with me, I can't get it too wrong. And if I do, it's not really all that hard to replace. I really appreciate everyone's input. If I find a suitable collection, I'll try to remember to post the parts I end up with.

[klweimer]

I have some silicone rubber grommets I bought from McMaster Carr that I used. I probably have a couple left. Shoot me your address and I'll drop them in the mail to you. -Kirk