1969 Corvette - bolt issue, front bumper
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
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From: San Diego CA
1969 Corvette - bolt issue, front bumper
So I was giving my car its weekly wash when I noticed that the front bumper on the passenger side was hanging down about an inch and a half.
The bolt that holds the bumper popped out of the nut on the bumper and was sticking out from the inside of the body. Seemed like an easy enough fix.
I removed the left front grill so that I could access the bolt with a socket wrench to re-tighten the bolt back on to the bumper.
The damn bolt will NOT take hold of the nut on the bumper...it's almost as if the nut on bumper has been stripped. The bolt simply does not catch on the nut to bring the bumper to the body.
I've read somewhere on this board that the built-in nut on the bumper can come loose and spin...if this is the case, how the heck can that be fixed...there's simply no room between the bumper and the shield housing the nut.
Would greatly appreciate some help and advise...really sucks to see my vette with a droopy bumper.
The bolt that holds the bumper popped out of the nut on the bumper and was sticking out from the inside of the body. Seemed like an easy enough fix.
I removed the left front grill so that I could access the bolt with a socket wrench to re-tighten the bolt back on to the bumper.
The damn bolt will NOT take hold of the nut on the bumper...it's almost as if the nut on bumper has been stripped. The bolt simply does not catch on the nut to bring the bumper to the body.
I've read somewhere on this board that the built-in nut on the bumper can come loose and spin...if this is the case, how the heck can that be fixed...there's simply no room between the bumper and the shield housing the nut.
Would greatly appreciate some help and advise...really sucks to see my vette with a droopy bumper.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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Racer
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 364
Likes: 39
From: Sebastian FL
nut
So I was giving my car its weekly wash when I noticed that the front bumper on the passenger side was hanging down about an inch and a half.
The bolt that holds the bumper popped out of the nut on the bumper and was sticking out from the inside of the body. Seemed like an easy enough fix.
I removed the left front grill so that I could access the bolt with a socket wrench to re-tighten the bolt back on to the bumper.
The damn bolt will NOT take hold of the nut on the bumper...it's almost as if the nut on bumper has been stripped. The bolt simply does not catch on the nut to bring the bumper to the body.
I've read somewhere on this board that the built-in nut on the bumper can come loose and spin...if this is the case, how the heck can that be fixed...there's simply no room between the bumper and the shield housing the nut.
Would greatly appreciate some help and advise...really sucks to see my vette with a droopy bumper.
The bolt that holds the bumper popped out of the nut on the bumper and was sticking out from the inside of the body. Seemed like an easy enough fix.
I removed the left front grill so that I could access the bolt with a socket wrench to re-tighten the bolt back on to the bumper.
The damn bolt will NOT take hold of the nut on the bumper...it's almost as if the nut on bumper has been stripped. The bolt simply does not catch on the nut to bring the bumper to the body.
I've read somewhere on this board that the built-in nut on the bumper can come loose and spin...if this is the case, how the heck can that be fixed...there's simply no room between the bumper and the shield housing the nut.
Would greatly appreciate some help and advise...really sucks to see my vette with a droopy bumper.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,753
Likes: 721
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Suggestion....
I am by no means a body expert, but redoing a 72 and since I am a nimrod, 
, studying lots of body stuff. In one of Richard Newton's books, it says the bumper bolts should be installed carefully to avoid cracking the fiberglass. So, after you get your bolt nut issue solved be very careful reinstalling the bumper. Newton says the factory only got these bolts finger tight, so food for thought.
Hope this might help.
, studying lots of body stuff. In one of Richard Newton's books, it says the bumper bolts should be installed carefully to avoid cracking the fiberglass. So, after you get your bolt nut issue solved be very careful reinstalling the bumper. Newton says the factory only got these bolts finger tight, so food for thought.Hope this might help.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Thanks guys for taking the time to offer suggestions and advice...very much appreciated. Was hoping to be able to fix without pulling off the entire bumper...but just goes to show you that even the most seemingly easy fixes are not always that! Looks like I have a bit of a project for the weekend!
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