I think my drill and bits are good, I just slipped with my hand and lost control of the drill for a fraction of a second. I guess I did not adhere to the "careful" part enough. I should have drilled it before putting it in the car, so I could have had a perfect angle and better control. Or at least put the car on ramps rather than try to do something precise in a tight area. I took a pic of the hole. It wasn't straight in but the edge of the bit end. It didn't appear to hit anything other than graze the bottom, there are fins on the other side and it didn't seem to hit them.

Really not feeling very happy with myself now obviously ... think I'm going to not touch anything for a little while. I even burned my dinner tonight ... you know you're off your game when you can't even cook hot dogs right.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Don't think of the extra $$$$ you cost yourself, focus on the $$$$ you save by doing most of your own work. Just sayin'.........

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

not to worry! looks like you did a fine job! I'd have drilled from the other side of the flange, but no biggie! the good thing about these radiators is you have 3/8" of fins before your drill could have hit a coolant line or anything.

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

That's true Jimmy, and I've certainly saved my share on labor this year! I hate to think what that subframe job would have cost!

I did the top one from the inside of the flange (much more comfortable), but the bumper and frame bar were in the way on the bottom (my drill is a pretty bulky one). I still feel a little silly, but at least it turned out fine and everything is fastened up snug.

__________________
1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)