Ridetech Coul over instal question

[rcarson25]

I have searched and could not find what I am looking for. I am installing the older version ridetech 4 link setup. In mounting the upper brackets there are 3 self tap bolts you need to to drill for. I cannot for the kid of me figure out how you are supposed to drill the rear two on either side unless I didn’t have the trunk floor in. Does any one have any advise here? Are the rear bolts necessary? The self tapping bolts seem to be super easy to stop from what I have heard so are they even providing real strength/structural load?

Thanks in advance

[jasonz28camaro]

What car? I just did my camaro and I drilled at an angle. The camaro frame rails are really thin so when you put the bolt in and start threading it just make sure its streight and you will be all good.

[rcarson25]

Thanks for the reply, this is a 1978 Firebird.

I don’t see what strength would be provided by these bolts if drilled at an upward angle into thin sheet metal. I also don’t see how I could thread these straight. With the angle needed to drill these holes I can’t imagine much of the flange on the nut would even be in contact with the bracket. Wish they provided an extra flat u-bolt for these holes. I could see that being more beneficial for load disbursement and overall strength.

[rcarson25]

Well, a quick trip to the homedepot actually yielded some results for once. I didn’t get them absolutely perfect, but much better than I could have with the drill alone. The angle extension only cost $13 bucks and with the channel locks I got pretty close to the angle I needed to let the flange of the hex head fully engage the bracket.

[Motoracer838]

Well, a quick trip to the homedepot actually yielded some results for once. I didn’t get them absolutely perfect, but much better than I could have with the drill alone. The angle extension only cost $13 bucks and with the channel locks I got pretty close to the angle I needed to let the flange of the hex head fully engage the bracket.

For anyone else looking to do this, a better method would be to grind a shallow taper on a centerpunch and use it to punch the holes, this would roll material in giving much more material for the self tapping screws to bite.

Joe