Timothy Beloney wrote:
> I took off the front bumper and was replacing the mounting bolts on the car
> when I noticed I had a problem. One of the nuts that is just above the jack
> slots came off and is stuck inside the "frame". It seems that it should be
> welded in place to prevent this. The metal (where the hole for the bolt is)
> wraps around to cover the tube and appears to be welded to the other side,
> which means I can't reach the nut to put it in place. Am I going to have to
> play welder to get it out or otherwise in place? If I start moving the car
> without securing this nut it will probably be lost (and clanking) forever.
>
> I hope this is a clear description.
>
> Tim Beloney
> VAR Development Manager
> Wyse Technology
> www.wyse.com
> tbeloney(at)wyse.com <mailto:tbeloney(at)wyse.com>
> 510.749.9432 (phone)
> 510.714.2067 (cell/pgr)
Tim:
I have fixed several like this, and there are at least two ways to go.
Unfortunately, you probably are going to need to remove the valence to get at
things, and you do need a "stick" or "MIG" welder to complete the repair.
To get the nut , you can try the claw that Sergio recommended, or a magnetic
(cylinder magnet) tool, or, you may be able to hook it with a bent piece of
wire. If all these fail, and you can see the nut, you can use a welding rod to
reach it and apply a high welding current briefly (by switching your machine on
and off) This will fuse the rod to the nut without arcing (the flux will
insulate the part of the rod going through the hole, but don't do the threads!)
1) Once you have the nut, you can use a small bolt of the type used to hold
things to a hollow wall or door to hold it in place, while you drill 2 or more
holes in the perimeter of the hole in the frame (This is better done first, but
will be wasted effort if you don't get the nut) Then use your stick or mig
welder to fill in the holes (use high setting in order to burn through into the
nut). Use the required size tap to clean out the threads ( the nut will "upset"
because of the heat) and you are done.
2) Before you try for the nut, look at both sides of the frame member. You
should see a short lap weld on one side that can be easily ground away with a
Dremel tool. Once this is removed, the flap over the end of the frame member
can be bent back, giving you easier access to the nut. The nut (or a new one)
can be clamped on and welded in this position and the flap is bent back and
welded and you're done (except for tapping!).
Hope this helps.
Ron Tebo
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