The bolt from hell...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
The bolt from hell...
Worst bolt so far, how you get this thing out!! And why did they put in such a bad spot. Drivers side, forward most bolt to remove rear bumper, 5/8 bolt..sitting in a depression in the body.
A: There is no clearance between lip and bottom of bolt to fit a socket or closed wrench.
B: When using open wrench, the right side of wrench pushes downward and digs into fiberglass (which caused a bubble on outside, yay minor fiberglass repair) also the upperlip makes it where you cannot get wrench straight up and down on it cause it rubs the top lip.
I've been using CNC and WD40 on both sides of bolt, tapping wrench with hammer, tapping bolt with hammer, crows feet, and lot of muscle and swearing. I just don't get it, and the passenger side is same way.
Anyone have same probelms or a trick to share?
A: There is no clearance between lip and bottom of bolt to fit a socket or closed wrench.
B: When using open wrench, the right side of wrench pushes downward and digs into fiberglass (which caused a bubble on outside, yay minor fiberglass repair) also the upperlip makes it where you cannot get wrench straight up and down on it cause it rubs the top lip.
I've been using CNC and WD40 on both sides of bolt, tapping wrench with hammer, tapping bolt with hammer, crows feet, and lot of muscle and swearing. I just don't get it, and the passenger side is same way.
Anyone have same probelms or a trick to share?
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,695
Likes: 65
From: Kissimmee fl
Finalist 2021 C3 of the Year - Modified
2017 C3 of Year Finalist
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
You may find that the corner of the bumper has settled after all these years. Try moving the brace (bumper) up from the outside. Try a piece of wood and a BFH. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 1,078
Likes: 0
From: Santee CA
The front motor mount bolt on the driver's side rates right up there...
The bolt goes through the power steering pump bracket, and comes out easily enough. However, putting it back in when we replaced the motor mounts required us to pull out the alternator so we could remove the power steering pump, which then gave us enough movement and twist on the P/S pump bracket to put the motor mount bolt through the P/S pump bracket.
I feel your pain, though...Just keep at it and see if you can possibly shift the head of the bolt from one side so that you can get a wrench on it a little easier...
The bolt goes through the power steering pump bracket, and comes out easily enough. However, putting it back in when we replaced the motor mounts required us to pull out the alternator so we could remove the power steering pump, which then gave us enough movement and twist on the P/S pump bracket to put the motor mount bolt through the P/S pump bracket.
I feel your pain, though...Just keep at it and see if you can possibly shift the head of the bolt from one side so that you can get a wrench on it a little easier...
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 915
Likes: 2
From: Lima, OH -- 69 L71 427/435hp
Good idea about lifting bumper up, didn't think of that, lol. I'm bout to pull the engine, is that P/S pump that much of a pain in the a$$? I will be removing A-arms as well.
Will try tomorrow see how it goes by lifting bumper up. Thanks much.
Will try tomorrow see how it goes by lifting bumper up. Thanks much.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,347
Likes: 9
From: Salinas Ca.
Originally Posted by big_G
The hole should be bigger than the bolt. Try pushing up on that side of the bumper where the bolt is while you try to get a socket on it.
With Big G...the worst bolt for me is... top left brake booster 
