Quote Originally Posted by 998S View Post
Consequently, these bolts only face shear-forces, no pushing or pulling.
The fact that the nut was not up to spec is not good, but could have caused very little damage.
Besides that they also hold the sprocket in place.

Several designs are used in the industry, see attached drawing. Here a slipping screw could have been because of a broken bolt (#13).
honda-xl185s-1982-usa-rear-wheel_mediumhu0118f7z11_9d58.jpg

If the design is known better analysis could be possible before dismantling. X-ray eyes would be helpful too. Hindsight is 20/20.