Body mount bolts (#@&%!!!)
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale Ct
Body mount bolts (#@&%!!!)
Getting real close to body lift time. Today I decided to start lossening the body mounts since that is about all I have left to do. I started with #1 on the passenger side since its the most accessible. It wont budge! There is enough room there to get a breaker bar in and still nothing. Any Ideas? Maybe an impact wrench? And, what should I do about the rest that are alot less accessible? No room to get a breaker bar on two or three... What does everyone else do?
HELP!!!!
HELP!!!!
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 703
Likes: 153
From: Central FL
St. Jude Donor '06 thru'17, '23-'26
I did mine this weekend, I soaked all of them in PB Blaster for a couple of days. Both of the #1's snapped off when I used the breaker bar. I used a deep well socket with an extension from the bottom. I cut the #4's with a saw-zaw (sp?). The #2 & #3 came out pretty easily with the PB Blaster.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,654
Likes: 0
From: Chandler Arizona
St. Jude Donor '08
I used a plasma cutter (very carefully) on the ones that didn't come out or snap off. I carefully blew the heads off, leaving the washers in place on the #2 and #3 bolts (both sides). After things cooled I could lift the washers out and shop vac out the slag/etc.. that was left over. Good Luck 
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale Ct
I am an IDIOT!!!
So, I get done reading the replies to my first post and decide to go out and give it another shot. First I decide to climb under the car and spray some liquid wrench... DOOOOHHH! There is a nut on the bottom of #1??? I thought I had to remove it from the top!
Lesson learned.... Always check the AIM when in doubt. Oh well, I am learning.
P.S.... No, I still haven't gotten it out yet.
Lesson learned.... Always check the AIM when in doubt. Oh well, I am learning.
P.S.... No, I still haven't gotten it out yet.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
A dremel works great on #1 and #4. For #2 and #3 you have to be lucky 
Try Kroil (www.kanolab.com) -> that stuff is waayy better than anything else on the market incl. PB Blaster
Try Kroil (www.kanolab.com) -> that stuff is waayy better than anything else on the market incl. PB Blaster
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 243
Likes: 0
From: KC Kansas
I was able to break all mine off except for one of the #4s. Had to break off the piece inside the body that held the bolt. It was turning freely and would not let the bolt loosen. I used a breaker bar on all of them otherwise. Good Luck.
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Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
From: Mukilteo Washington
#1 you can cut off (in half) if frozen on, #2 and #3 have a nut inside a cage welded to the frame, I wouldn't cut these off or you will have problems replacing the nut with a bolt shaft sticking up, #4 bolts to a nutplate attached to the fiberglass body, have some one hold a wrench to the nutplate while loosening the bolts to keep the nutplate from rotating or it could shread the fiberglass (don't ask how I know). I used alot of WD40 prior to removing all the bolts.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 37
From: Stockton Ca
I have found a local Vette Dr. He wants $800-$1,000 for the job. He was working on several cars and it looked good. I wouldn't know where to start if rust and rotten glass was found. Is that a fair price for a complete quality job? TIA
Rick
Rick
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Oakdale Ct
Arrgh!!
Well for todays attempt, I went at it from the bottom. But I quickly realized that I need a way to hold the bolt while I turn the nut with the breaker bar.... Tried to put a socket on it but it wont stay put. Sure would be nice to have an extra set of hands. Im starting to think that dremel might not be a bad idea... Cant figure how the heck I would get my sawzall in there.... The saga continues.....
Heel & Toe
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
Body mounts
I never did a off frame resto,till now.I was not confident about how to do all this stuff,but I'll tell you now that you can do this yourself!!!!If I did it you can too! Just cut those bolts out with a Dremal drill with a good cutting wheel.If a bolt and nut hangs in the frame don't worry about it,you can take it out when the body is off the frame.Either heat up the bolt stub and turn it out or cut the caged nut out buy a new caged nut from Bairs and weld it on.These are easy to fix when you have the body off,if you need help myself or others can help you.Go do it and dont worry ---- Tom