Rocker arm threads!

[imbatman69]

Hey there, I'm new here and I've been impressed with the things I've learn about Grand Am's. My question is, I've just had my 2003 Grand Am in the shop and all the rocker arm bolts in the front head were stripped and three in the rear head. Has this happened to anyone else? Why does it happen and does the dealer fix it so it won't happen again. Is there a way for myself to correct it, sucks when your baby runs like that.

[eric99gt]

stripped? Never happens. Only time that happens is if you overtighten the rocker arm bolts when reinstalling. Sounds odd.

[Bart001]

Yeah man Erics right, that never happens...
Its probably a manufacture defect....
Even overtightening... the bolt will more than likly just snap off in there, unless if the thread in the Aluminum are damaged from over tightening.... again... never happens....lol...

Did they replace the Heads?

[imbatman69]

They put refurbed heads on it, hopefully that fixes the problem.

[ENGGUY]

Either a manufacturing problem, like one of those other countrys that has some pretty bad assembly people. Or a DIYer that didn't know how to start a bolt. Or a typical impact wrench mechanic.
Had to be one of those. The best fix for that would be either heli coils or timeserts to save the aluminum. But best done when the heads are off. You don't want chips getting in the wrong places.