HOW? Bumper to fender bolts (broken bolt heads) Fix needed :(

[Tiki2777]

I am at a loss. I cannot reattach my bumper completely because of broken off bolts that secure the left and right sides of the bumper to the fender. ALL of the bolts' heads broke off...

Anyways, I have no idea how to remove these. I went to walmart, autozone... etc. None of them have reverse drill bits or easyouts. Please, some who has had some personal experience with this ridiculous problem PLEASE let me know the best course of action for this. I am sick of having my bumper hang .

 

[bryanwheat]

You can drill new holes beside the broken bolts and use bolts with nuts. You can drill the old bolts out and re-tap the holes, you can also weld a nut to the remaining bolt and back it out.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Old bolts break..I like to just drill the fender bolt out if they snapp.Then put in new hardware.

Sent from my droid 4 using forum runner

 

[Tiki2777]

Old bolts break..I like to just drill the fender bolt out if they snapp.Then put in new hardware.

Sent from my droid 4 using forum runner

Can you go into more detail, i am not sure i get what you would replace it with? Thanks

Bryan, thanks, I might try to get my friend tommorrow to weld a bolt head on the ends of them with his TIG welder. Have you ever done the drill new holes method? thanks guys

 

[bryanwheat]

Can you go into more detail, i am not sure i get what you would replace it with? Thanks

Bryan, thanks, I might try to get my friend tommorrow to weld a bolt head on the ends of them with his TIG welder. Have you ever done the drill new holes method? thanks guys

You don't weld a bolt head to it, you slide a nut over it and weld the inside of the nut to it.

 

[Tiki2777]

You don't weld a bolt head to it, you slide a nut over it and weld the inside of the nut to it.

good to know , thanks, that could have been bad. (God i hate rust)

 

[cl1ckclack]

it would probably be easier to just drill out the old bolts...

 

[renovatdkitchen]

I just had the same problem just now. The 5 bolts on top went in fine, but the passenger side bolts were broken in there. Gave up and bought some thick zip ties. Probably bad advice though.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

THis is what I did.

Remove fender.
Braced tab
drilled stuck bolt out of tab with much bigger drill
Use a long bolt with a nut when installing.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Yep i just drill them out and add new washers,nuts and bolts..As far as new hardware..You can use any you want that fit in the holes..Washers help if your new hardware is not wide enough..Make sure you have long sockets if your going with a longer bolt.

Or i got this new socket and wrench set..The socket fits on the outside..And will just slip onto a long bolt,that way you wont need long sockets..I Cant remember what there called,but they are a semi new design.

Sent from my droid 4 using forum runner.

 

[boostront]

I just had the same problem just now. The 5 bolts on top went in fine, but the passenger side bolts were broken in there. Gave up and bought some thick zip ties. Probably bad advice though.

I also went with zip ties.Gives it a little movement when my ol lady drives it since she has a tendency to bottom it out backing out of driveways.

 

[Tiki2777]

I just had the same problem just now. The 5 bolts on top went in fine, but the passenger side bolts were broken in there. Gave up and bought some thick zip ties. Probably bad advice though.

Uhh, unfortunately thats what is holding it up now, but i just can't take it anymore. I want a clean DSM, and rust is just holding me back, and age. (this should be so much less frustrating). You guys have given me a lot of great ideas, thanks alot. Im probably gonna try to first weld a nut on and backem out, but if that fails, its off to the drill.

I honestly don't know what i would do without you guys... probably cry in a fetal-position off in a corner (trying to get everything perfect sucks).

 

[renovatdkitchen]

Balance shaft bearing install just been giving me so much stress, I couldnt care if the bumper flies off.

 

[cl1ckclack]

i wouldn't even bother trying to back them outt to be honest with you. its just a waste of time, and drilling them out will be just as clean.

 

[Bud92gsx]

We all have crappy problems from time to time..Most of us have ran into old bolts that break before..This is why you should always keep your cordless drills charged.

Sent from droid 4.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Broke all mine I drilled them out and used nuts on them. Simple enough.

 

[cl1ckclack]

exactly! looks just as clean... luckily for me, I've only had 1 bolt on each side break so far.

 

[Gearhead4G63]

Ha I have both new holes and zip ties. Lol

 

[muddfisher85]

Mine broke off too. I just took the fender off. Then I could see the other end of the bolt that broke off. I then use a map gas torch to very carefully heat the bolt. Now be careful not to get it to hot cause you will cook a little more paint then you want. When its good and hot I just took a pair of vise grips and threaded the bolt in further since the head is already gone. They always come out with a little heat as will most stuck bolts. I have also done this on the upper part of the front bumper and also the rear bumper. Im not a fan of having to hold a nut in the fender will tightening the bumper bolts so I went this route. Be sure to fix the spots of paint you lost if any as you dont want them to rust again.

 

[turboglenn]

you fix this yuet,maybe i can help you out today