Back two Body Mount Bolts
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
From: Oak Ridge NC
Back two Body Mount Bolts
Folks,
I am in the process of doing a body off lift on my 68 convert and cant seem to break the back two bolts loose. They were stuck (even after spraying a ton of anti seeze on them) and now after putting the impact wrench on them they are just spinning. All the rest of the bolts are out. Any suggestions? My thought is to torch them off and then replace the mounts but with the convertible it is not all that easy.
Thanks,
Clint
I am in the process of doing a body off lift on my 68 convert and cant seem to break the back two bolts loose. They were stuck (even after spraying a ton of anti seeze on them) and now after putting the impact wrench on them they are just spinning. All the rest of the bolts are out. Any suggestions? My thought is to torch them off and then replace the mounts but with the convertible it is not all that easy.
Thanks,
Clint
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,886
Likes: 9
You in a heap 'a trouble, boy.
Just kidding. A little.
If the #4 bolts are just spinning, the cages inside the body that retain the nut have been damaged. You will have to reach them from inside the car. They are underneath the hinge and spring cage that allows the rear deck to open and swallow the folding top. You will have to remove the spring cage and then drill out or grind off the rivets on the reinforcement beneath that to get to them.
I'd use a Sawsall or an air cutter to cut the #4 bolt. I am concerned that a torch might cause a frantic 911 call.
At the risk of being Captain Obvious, use anti-seize on the bolts when you replace them.
Just kidding. A little.
If the #4 bolts are just spinning, the cages inside the body that retain the nut have been damaged. You will have to reach them from inside the car. They are underneath the hinge and spring cage that allows the rear deck to open and swallow the folding top. You will have to remove the spring cage and then drill out or grind off the rivets on the reinforcement beneath that to get to them.
I'd use a Sawsall or an air cutter to cut the #4 bolt. I am concerned that a torch might cause a frantic 911 call.
At the risk of being Captain Obvious, use anti-seize on the bolts when you replace them.
Last edited by gcusmano74; Dec 17, 2012 at 08:57 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 149
Likes: 3
From: Chadron Ne
I had to get inside and remove the cages because you cannot get a wrench in there otherwise. I then get a wrench on the bolt head to hold it steady, then used a sawzall to remove the bolts. Mine is a coup so maybe no help here.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 11,183
Likes: 3,335
From: North of Toronto - Ontario
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,039
Likes: 2,592
From: Del Boca Vista FL
Take a dremel tool and cut the head of the bolts off on the underside of the body. Then you can lift the body and work on the rest of it later from inside the compartment at your leisure. Working from the bottom of the body you won't F up the interior parts in order to remove it from the chassis.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Cut the bolt heads off and get the body off the frame. Repair the cage nuts later. Chances are they're toast anyway.
It's not all bad once you resign yourself to the fact that the deck lid hinges have to come loose and that you will have to remove the reinforcements to get to the cage nut and get the old body mount bolt out. You may be able to save some of the reinforcements, some may need replaced. If you find a couple of them rusted more than you thought, you'll be glad you had the opportunity to replace them. The hardest part of the job, believe it or not, is removing and reinstalling the bolts on the back side of the deck lid hinges. They are a bear to get access to.
Be thankful that the other 6 body bolts came loose without too much fuss and consider replacing those rear cage nuts as a rite of passage into Corvette restoration - Like going through hazing before admission into the fraternity
It's not all bad once you resign yourself to the fact that the deck lid hinges have to come loose and that you will have to remove the reinforcements to get to the cage nut and get the old body mount bolt out. You may be able to save some of the reinforcements, some may need replaced. If you find a couple of them rusted more than you thought, you'll be glad you had the opportunity to replace them. The hardest part of the job, believe it or not, is removing and reinstalling the bolts on the back side of the deck lid hinges. They are a bear to get access to.
Be thankful that the other 6 body bolts came loose without too much fuss and consider replacing those rear cage nuts as a rite of passage into Corvette restoration - Like going through hazing before admission into the fraternity
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,683
Likes: 34
From: Working on the car NY
Folks,
I am in the process of doing a body off lift on my 68 convert and cant seem to break the back two bolts loose. They were stuck (even after spraying a ton of anti seeze on them) and now after putting the impact wrench on them they are just spinning. All the rest of the bolts are out. Any suggestions? My thought is to torch them off and then replace the mounts but with the convertible it is not all that easy.
Thanks,
Clint
I am in the process of doing a body off lift on my 68 convert and cant seem to break the back two bolts loose. They were stuck (even after spraying a ton of anti seeze on them) and now after putting the impact wrench on them they are just spinning. All the rest of the bolts are out. Any suggestions? My thought is to torch them off and then replace the mounts but with the convertible it is not all that easy.
Thanks,
Clint
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