howtofix broken upper fender bolt in cowl

[blazer2007]

On my 78 blazer the upper fender snapped off when I tried to take the fender off,I tried to weld a nut on it but nothing so I let it soak and thought I would give it a couple taps with a hammer to loosen rust or whatever but the the cowl part ripped and now I,m stuck.any suggestions.

[MARTINSR]

Maybe there are some things in this "Basics of Basics" that may help?

http://www.hotrodders.com/forum/basi...al-187449.html

Brian

[blazer2007]

Too late now I think,I guess I will have to cut it out and build a new one.

[MARTINSR]

NO, with a nut welded on the tricks still work!

Brian

[RUN GMC]

I have had good luck with reverse drill bits from Harbor Freight.......broke a starter bolt up in the engine block......started with the smallest one stepped one at a time...the third one bit hard and backed it out pretty as you please.....dont know what a shop would have charged me to do that but I know paid 8 bucks for those drill bits.............when using dont apply too much full on pressure when they bit you will your drill torque twist...........

http://www.harborfreight.com/left-ha...-pc-61686.html

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGpc_X0wV8E

[franken]

I'd agree w/ welding a washer, then a nut on.
Body bolts usually break because they're rusted on the back side and the threads jam after they start turning. The trick is to turn the bolt left just a little like 1/8-1/4 turn; then back in; then out just a little more than last time; repeat. I have 3/8" breaker bar just for this purpose since a ratchet is awkward and 1/2" way too big.

[blazer2007]

I,ll give it another try.Can you access the bolt from in the dash to spray it and let it soak?

[MARTINSR]

Here is my tried and true method.
One of the first jobs I ever had was at a shop doing full on restorations on vintage Fords (we specialized in model 40s 1933-34). By boss taught me MANY things I use every day. One of them was the best trick for getting rusted bolts out that I have ever tried.
You need your torch with a small tip.
Take the torch and make a perfect flame like you are going to weld. Heat the bolt head up till it starts to turn red. (If the bolt is already broken off you will need to saw a grove to use a flat blade screwdriver or have enough to grab with locking pliers) Then quickly cool it with a squirt bottle of water. Repeat, heat it, then cool it. Do this a number of times and the bolt WILL turn right out. If you can, heat the nut around the bolt on right before you try turning it out, BUT DON'T HEAT THE BOLT. This will expand the nut from around the bolt. I have done this on Model A door hinges, if you are not familiar with them, it is a 5/16 bolt with a little flat blade screw driver head! A ridiculous design that rusted in to tight to remove around 1950! You can imagine how hard they are to remove in 2000. I've had total success,needing only a regular hand screw driver about 99% of the time.

The way I figure the heating and cooling expands and contracts the screw breaking it loose from the rusts grip.


Brian

[blazer2007]

I thought I had it,back and forth ,looked like it was working but it was the welded bolt. didn,t get enough heat to go on the stud..try again tomorrow.