I've been around the automotive aftermarket for over 25 years, but I'm fairly new to TC and just want to say THANKS to everyone for making TC the awesome place it is. The information here is absolutely invaluable!

Hopefully I'm posting this in the right place, this is my first new post so I apologize in advance if I didn't.

I have a 65 El Camino and in the process of taking the body off the frame, the left rear most body mount nut broke loose and just spins. This mount is a boxed in section that extends down from the bed to the frame.

I read the archived posts and will admit that had I been just a little more patient, I would not have had this problem. I used PB Blaster #PB-15 and the stuff is a miracle product. I soaked the bolts underneath and on top every day for a week, then loosened each bolt about a half turn. Soaked them again, working the bolts in and out as much as possible without stripping the nuts loose and kept blasting them with the PB Blaster. After a few days of working them in this manner, I got them all out, except the first one I started with. (Haven't graduated from the School of Hard Knocks yet)

I'm just wondering if there is a "chosen" place to cut a hole in this area to get to the nut. Also what size hole would be best?

Cutting holes like this gives me the "willies" to begin with. I just want to be sure to do it right the first time.

Thanks a million!

I'm not familiar with the El Caminos, but you can drill the head off the bolt. Start with about an 1/8 inch drill for a pilot and then gradually redrill with bigger bits until you're up to a 3/8s or 7/16s. The head will come right off the bolt with little trouble. The original problem will still be there but at least you can get the body off the frame and address the problem when you get more information. Hopefully you will get a more helpful response soon. Good luck.

Max

Try a search in the suspension thread. There is a lot of prior posts about this topic. Good luck!

Had the same problem with our 72 ElCamino. We cut the bolts with a sawzall to get the body off then cut an access hole into the boxed area to remove the cage nut assembly. I left the opening for easy access to reinstall the " restored" nut, didn't bother with the cage piece.

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Never be afraid to try something new.
An amatuer built the Ark,
Professionals built the Titanic.

Better to be judged by 12
than carried by 6.

Team Chevelle Gold #33
ACES Member #02913

Many say to cut almost a complete circle then peal it back to get access. This way you can weld that piece back down when finished.



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1969 Chevelle Malibu
307 Powerglide 10 bolt
2nd owner
All original with 2 inches of documentation.

It's amazing, after all this time she still runs.

Azure Turquoise Malibu (http://www.geocities.com/yenko_chevelle_1969/MyChevellehomepage.html?1038125434440)

My busted steering wheel. (http://www.datazap.net/free/chevyprowler/charzard.jpg)

AIM Screen Name = YenkoChevelle69. Gimme a yell anytime.

Streetrat, Redrum, T-Man, Yenko... thanks for the info. Know it is appreciated.

I have the tools to cut the bolt head off, just want to 'fix' it right when the times comes to put it all back together.

Thanks...