Stuck Bumper Bracket Bolts Delima

[71SandbugCharger]

Question, if I may. Happy Saturday! The front bolt with the arrow was missing, and I got a replacement, however the nut on the inside of the frame is missing or fallen, and the other one while trying to remove it, is just spinning as the nut inside the frame spins…. Is there a tool or trick, or cut them out, or ? To get the bolts out? Thanks

 

[yella71]

On my challenger I had the same issue. I fished a nut inside the frame and used the stock bolt. theres got to be a hole that you can use to get a nut in there

 

[gkent]

1) burn the bolt off
2) you have 2 options:
a) get an appropriate size hex nut - enlarge the hole so the nut fits in the hole - weld the nut in
b) get the correct gauge metal and drill a hole in it the same size as the frame hole - weld a hex nut to one side - cut out the area in the frame - cut the new piece to fit the hole - weld in the patch

I had to do this for my rear mount and I thought option b was the better solution to ensure the nut never came loose again

 

[1STMP]

You might try drilling a hole on the
opposite side of the frame to get a socket
around the nut retainer to twist it off.
Then go back in with a lock nut and washer.
I've done this a few times on a rusty old
Jeep frame. Drill the hole to clear the
socket. I'd try to avoid welding on the
frame unless there's no other recourse.
JMHO.

 

[gkent]

I'd try to avoid welding on the
frame

Ridiculous !! The frame is just stamped sheet metal like the rest of the car. If you were grafting on a foot of frame section I'd agree but welding in a small patch or nut in this case ... insignificant.

And do you really want to see a non-stock socket hole on the inside of your frame rail ?!?!?

 

[1STMP]

Ridiculous !! The frame is just stamped sheet metal like the rest of the car. If you were grafting on a foot of frame section I'd agree but welding in a small patch or nut in this case ... insignificant.

And do you really want to see a non-stock socket hole on the inside of your frame rail ?!?!?

Not here to argue. Heat changes the metals' properties making the metal brittle and
susceptible to cracking. Cutting square holes
in the web concentrates stresses in the corners,
and that's where the cracks will start. Round holes
are cut in the web mostly for lightening the
frame. Ford did this on some of their trucks.

 

[71SandbugCharger]

Update! I got a chance last night to look from above. There is a rectangular hole on both sides upfront that I was able to fish out the nut that fell off, and put a lock washer and new nut on the front one. Just need to tighten both front and rear bolts back on. Maybe swedge a tool into each to tighten the nuts, after some loctite. Thanks