Gearbox longitudinal member probs

[Curly]

Has anyone come across a problem with the rear mounting for the brace that runs under the gearbox? It mounts on the front crossmember, and at the rear of the engine bay, ahead of the gearstick?

We pulled ours out the other day when replacing the clutch, and one bolt was missing, and the other one was barely finger tight. Trying to re-fit it we noticed that the captive nut in the body is spinning free. Not good.

Our car was picked up from a damaged auction, and had had a little front end hit. It's also had a fairly hard life so-far, but I'm wondering whether this is a common problem?

I reckon if we fix this properly it'll extend the life of the car a bit - but not sure about the best way to do it.

[shake]

All the ones i've had anything to do with have been tight. But they have all been road cars some more abused than others though.

[paulie]

I've pulled apart a few now and have always found all the bolts tight. Maybe at some point they had been removed and maybe zealously overtightened, to the point of breaking?

Paulie