#4 cage nuts 69 vert
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
#4 cage nuts 69 vert
Both #4 cage nuts are rusted away as are the reinforcements. I just reached in,with only two fingers and pulled the nuts out with the sawed off bolts attached. The replacement cage nuts have two mounting holes to mount but I don't see anywhere in the body where they were riveted in, no holes on the bottom of the body. Where they bonded in place? I suppose I could try to drill two mounting holes for the cage nuts but there would be NO way I could get access to puts nuts on them,or rivets for that matter. How does one do this repair?. I am really at a loss. I have read recent threads here at length, then I go out to the car and I cannot get access down below (in the well) only two fingers.
Possible solutions:
Weld the new cage nut assy to the inside of the new reinforcements and then hog out the hole in the fiberglass where the bolt goes through to clear the cage assy and let the reinforcements sit flush. or cut access holes in the fiberglass , sides of the wells to allow installing nuts and bolts. Edit . I just realized solution #1 won't work.
Possible solutions:
Weld the new cage nut assy to the inside of the new reinforcements and then hog out the hole in the fiberglass where the bolt goes through to clear the cage assy and let the reinforcements sit flush. or cut access holes in the fiberglass , sides of the wells to allow installing nuts and bolts. Edit . I just realized solution #1 won't work.
Last edited by bonehead2; Jun 20, 2008 at 03:48 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,669
Likes: 3
From: Kingston Ontario
Unless going back to factory set-up, there is no reason to replace the nut cages. They were initially installed to allow one person to assemble the #4 mount. Have someone hold the nut while you install the bolt. 
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 121
Likes: 0
From: Salt Lake City Utah
I don't even know how you got to that cage nut in the first place - it is a royal PITA on a vert! Did you take off the deck hinge? If so, how? I could not get to that last nut to remove it.
As far as repairing the inside of the mount, I cut a hole in the side of the glass to access mine - didn't seem to be any other way. The outer mount reinforcements on the underside of the body are not rusted on my car, so I just popped out the rivets to remove and coat them prior to reinstall. When I put the body mounts back in, I'm not using a cage nut. Even if you want to do NCRS, there is no way that nut can ever been seen on a vert anyway.
I will probably reinforce the glass in the mount tub before I put it back together.
Good luck with this one
As far as repairing the inside of the mount, I cut a hole in the side of the glass to access mine - didn't seem to be any other way. The outer mount reinforcements on the underside of the body are not rusted on my car, so I just popped out the rivets to remove and coat them prior to reinstall. When I put the body mounts back in, I'm not using a cage nut. Even if you want to do NCRS, there is no way that nut can ever been seen on a vert anyway.
I will probably reinforce the glass in the mount tub before I put it back together.
Good luck with this one
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 201
From: Waterford Mi
I made a large metal washer out of some sheet metal and attached the cage and nut to it. The bottom of the fiberglass was all broken up so there was nothing to attach the cage to. Once the nut and bolt were tightened it sandwiched what was left of the fiberlgass to the reinforcement.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
Thanks guys. Sounds like two good plans to work with. I like both ideas. Keep em coming.
Choc..."did you take off the deck hinge? If so, how? I could not get to that last nut "I don't even know how you got to that cage nut in the first place - it is a royal PITA on a vert!to remove it."I cut the bolts , then used 1 finger and a magnet to get them out, I haven't taken the deck lid off Yet, trying to avoid that.
Redwing I like that solution, how about a giant 7/16 toggle bolt?.
Choc..."did you take off the deck hinge? If so, how? I could not get to that last nut "I don't even know how you got to that cage nut in the first place - it is a royal PITA on a vert!to remove it."I cut the bolts , then used 1 finger and a magnet to get them out, I haven't taken the deck lid off Yet, trying to avoid that.
Redwing I like that solution, how about a giant 7/16 toggle bolt?.
Last edited by bonehead2; Jun 21, 2008 at 09:49 AM.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 688
Likes: 1
From: Stevens Point WI
Went thru this in my 69 vert on the frame off I am doing
The cage nut is rivited to the fiberglass body and then the reinforcment goes on over it.
After removing all the old parts (remember there is a rivet in the rear side of the car that you can not see) I dropped the new cage nut assembly into the tiny a$$ hole behind the deck lid hinge and then used a longer bolt with the same threads to thread into it.
While holding down on the cage nut line up the old rivet holes and re-rivet the cage back onto the body.
Then re-rivet the reinforcment back to the body.
Works great and still looks factory, I just touched up the small hole in the rear where the old reinforcment was drilled out with some glass and it was as good as new
ZIP or any of the major vendors should have all the parts you need, good luck
The cage nut is rivited to the fiberglass body and then the reinforcment goes on over it.
After removing all the old parts (remember there is a rivet in the rear side of the car that you can not see) I dropped the new cage nut assembly into the tiny a$$ hole behind the deck lid hinge and then used a longer bolt with the same threads to thread into it.
While holding down on the cage nut line up the old rivet holes and re-rivet the cage back onto the body.
Then re-rivet the reinforcment back to the body.
Works great and still looks factory, I just touched up the small hole in the rear where the old reinforcment was drilled out with some glass and it was as good as new
ZIP or any of the major vendors should have all the parts you need, good luck
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
Another great idea Fonz. I looked hard but didn't see any holes in the fiberglass where the cage nuts were riveted in place as I was going to go that route. I'll look some more today, time to put this body back on so I can burn some gas.
Oh, could you tell me what kind of rivet gun and rivets you used.I think a standard rivet gun will be too small.Thanks .
Oh, could you tell me what kind of rivet gun and rivets you used.I think a standard rivet gun will be too small.Thanks .
Last edited by bonehead2; Jun 21, 2008 at 09:56 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,140
Likes: 7
From: Ohio
If you have the metal #4 body reinforcement off the two holes that hold the cage nut are on the bottom side and can't be seen with it on.
If the fiberglass is good around the holes any pop rivet gun will work to hold the cage nut. With two people you can line it up and get it done.
Or just use washers and nuts with no cage nut it's cheaper and can never be seen.
If the fiberglass is good around the holes any pop rivet gun will work to hold the cage nut. With two people you can line it up and get it done.
Or just use washers and nuts with no cage nut it's cheaper and can never be seen.
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Drifting
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,562
Likes: 2
From: Spring Texas
When I pulled the body off of my 71 vert, I cut the heads off of the bolts for #4, and pulled them up through the cavities with the rusted cage nuts. The replacement parts may have been available, but I could not find any. My solution was to make some plates to fit the body cavities out of 3/8" aluminum plate. They don't have to fit perfectly. I drilled and tapped the plates for the body mount bolts, and I never have to worry about them rusting. I was able to remove my deck lid hinges to do the work, but it was a pita to remove them and reinstall them. I have suggested cutting the under body for access in other threads about the #4 mount. If no other major repairs are required, a few small holes with a holesaw will provide access for a socket and extension to get to the deck lid hinge bolts.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
cut a slot in the end of an appropriately sized bolt (cut off disc)to act as a screwdriver slot. drop the bolt and washer down into the #4 area, and use the screwdriver slot to prevent the bolt from turning when you tighten it.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 452
Likes: 0
From: Southern Md
Former Vendor
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,092
Likes: 2
From: walpole ma
On a vert they are a pain in the butt.
The preceding solution is the best unless you must have it absolutely original
