While installing my cradle bolts last night, I started them by hand and then hit them w/ the impact. Turns out that one of them was started wrong and the force of the impact broke the bolt loose inside of the frame rails...I've got 5 holding it to the car but I don't know if thats going to be good enough and I sure can't see any way to get inside of the frame and fix it...any ideas?
Cut the bolt off with a hacksaw or a cutting torch. If you have to remove the whole shooting match for access so be it. Use a hole saw to get access to the bloody stub and the captive nut. Remove same. Put the cradle back in place and fish a nut and washer through the access hole with mechanical fingers. Plug the hole to keep the mud out.
If the bolt is securely in the nut plate you may want to try cutting the head off of the bolt, cut a thread on the remander of the bolt and install a nut with locktite. Or cut the head off lower cradle enough to drill into the plate from below and tap into the plate for a pair of flat head screws remove remainder of bolt clean threads with a tap assemble with a new bolt.LOL
sts96
I was in such a hurry the night I typed that post and I didn't explain things right. The bolt crossthreaded and the nut thats up in the plate broke loose. I was able to get the bolt out by forcing the washer on the bolt down while removing w/ the impact. The bolt is out but I can't imagine any way to fish a nut down into the frame rail while the cradle is in place enough to start the bolt into it.
You're halfway home. Use a holesaw to access the inside of the frame rail. Fish a nut and washer through the access hole. Plug the hole when you are through.
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