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Old 06-28-2011, 03:15 PM   #1
KnightRiderSS
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Exclamation Elite Engineering Catch Can Problem: Car won't start and left me stranded

I'm sitting in my works parking lot waiting on a tow for my Camaro. The bolt that holds the catch can to the block has sheared off...belts chewed up the catch can and the engine won't turn over since the grounding wire is no longer attached to the block...pics to follow once I get home...I just hope it's just getting it grounded is all that it needs to start...

EDIT: Please read through the entire thread b/c this thread is NOT a diss at the Elite Engineering guys...they have been MORE than helpful resolving my issues and in my opinion make a superior product...I just felt the need to emphasize this in case people are giving their product a second thought because of the issues I've had with the OEM bolt.
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:26 PM   #2
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So the end of the bolt is in the end of the threaded rod? Wow that is a pretty thick bolt. It is a scary thought that this could happen...and did.
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:29 PM   #3
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how long has it been installed?
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Yeah, I'll get around to it...
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:42 PM   #4
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About 10 months....9000 miles later
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:44 PM   #5
SSOOCH
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how in the hell did that bracket come off?
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:54 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SSOOCH View Post
how in the hell did that bracket come off?
Bracket is still attached to the can...the bolt that it attaches to it is sheared...the bolt that goes into the block...it isn't sheared flush so I am hoping to be able to fix it myself
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:57 PM   #7
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The stud on mine also sheared off today, on the side that ground and the mounting shaft threads to.Ive called elite about it shearing. i guess they may have a issue with the material they are using for the bolt/stud.Its been on my L99 for about 3,000 miles. It also chewed up the bottom of my can alittle bit. Was able to jerry rig mine back on with a bolt/nut from work. but hoping elite will send me a new stud and mounting shaft. will go see if i can get a pic of the bottom of the can thats damaged. Iam just glad that it didnt shear off while i was was doing 70mph on interstate. I did a Positve materaial test at work on the stud it came up 87.5%carbon steel and .25 % chrome I would think they would use a stronger alloy steel ie: 1 1/4% or 2 1/4% chrome molly steel.
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Old 06-28-2011, 03:59 PM   #8
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:Cheeeep Hardware:
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Old 06-28-2011, 05:23 PM   #9
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Elite doesnt supply that stud do they? I remember getting the rod, a hex head screw to mount the can bracket to the the rod and two screws that mount the can to the bracket. OP is it possible you overtighten the threaded rod to the stud? I only ask because during catch can testing I had mine off and on several times...knocks on wood and not saying any more about that.
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Old 06-28-2011, 05:45 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IndeedSS1 View Post
Elite doesnt supply that stud do they? I remember getting the rod, a hex head screw to mount the can bracket to the the rod and two screws that mount the can to the bracket. OP is it possible you overtighten the threaded rod to the stud? I only ask because during catch can testing I had mine off and on several times...knocks on wood and not saying any more about that.

Got it off the flat bed...got it running...

I tightened the hardware to spec (I am very methodically about following directions)...I couldn't recall who supplied the bolt or how it affixed to the block while I was on my iphone earlier but now that I am thinking about it and had it apart, I believe that the bolt is OEM hardware....I've notice the few times had the hood open that the catch can does have vibration to it but it wasn't loose and I didn't over tighten it...I imagine that over time/miles it can cause a stress fracture on a bolt like that...that would be my best guess as to why it failed...

If you find yourself in my situation...a 15mm socket/wrench and screwdriver would be all that you need to get it fixed...

Right now I have the ground tightened under the bolt touching the block...I will probably be going to the dealer to get a replacement bolt or contacting elite engineering about a possible fix?

The car did run a little funny after I started it...I put it into drive and it surged with my foot on the brake (had to stomp on it to keep it from going through the other side of my garage)...first time that has happened anyway...I called onstar for a quick diagnostic and they said it was throwing a p0557 but no CEL...brake booster pressure sensor? Not quite sure what is wrong and if that is a result of the failure or towing or what.....

You should have seen the looks of people driving by seeing that car on a flatbed...tow truck driver said its the first 5th gen camaro he has towed....

If I had a way to get at some tools I would have been able to get it running within a few mins...

I think it must have failed as I was shutting it off at work going in....I'm not sure what would have happened if it failed on the highway....

As promised here are some pics of the aftermath....

Maybe Elite will chime in when they see this thread?
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Old 06-28-2011, 05:58 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Godon Hutchinson View Post
The stud on mine also sheared off today, on the side that ground and the mounting shaft threads to.Ive called elite about it shearing. i guess they may have a issue with the material they are using for the bolt/stud.Its been on my L99 for about 3,000 miles. It also chewed up the bottom of my can alittle bit. Was able to jerry rig mine back on with a bolt/nut from work. but hoping elite will send me a new stud and mounting shaft. will go see if i can get a pic of the bottom of the can thats damaged. Iam just glad that it didnt shear off while i was was doing 70mph on interstate. I did a Positve materaial test at work on the stud it came up 87.5%carbon steel and .25 % chrome I would think they would use a stronger alloy steel ie: 1 1/4% or 2 1/4% chrome molly steel.
Interesting that we both had failures today...I wish that I would have some tools around to get it running again; would have saved me from pennies...I've taken the can off for now...

You sound pretty knowledgeable about properties of metals...what grade of bolt do you think would provide the best tensile strength for this application? Does fastenal/other supplier carry such a bolt? From the way it looks the OEM bolt isn't going to cut the muster...
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Old 06-28-2011, 06:14 PM   #12
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The problem is how long the can goes away from the block. There is a lot of stress at that joint. Sorry about that.
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Old 06-28-2011, 06:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
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The problem is how long the can goes away from the block. There is a lot of stress at that joint. Sorry about that.
This sounds right. I too was worried about that when I installed mine, but assumed the the threaded stud went in the dowel far enough for it to be rigid. I guess not.
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Old 06-28-2011, 06:39 PM   #14
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This sounds right. I too was worried about that when I installed mine, but assumed the the threaded stud went in the dowel far enough for it to be rigid. I guess not.

yeah, my advice would be to check it or carry the tools around with you that you need to get it going again...

though I'm not sure what would happen if it failed while you are driving....
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