REAR BUMPER BOLT REMOVAL - SORTED

[BIGRAB]

Was stripping down the rear bumper which is off the car.
The chrome bolts which hold the chrome bumper valance in place were pretty rusty so thought would change them.
However when you turn the nut on any of the bolts, the whole bolt spins as well with the nut.
Not helped by the bolts and nuts being pretty tight with no leeway to wedge something in between to try and hold bolt in place.
Have saturated in WD40 with no improvement, don't have any access to heat, pretty difficult to try and hacksaw off therefore stumped at the moment.

Any suggestions welcome.

Regards

[firedrake1942]

had this before as the square reigning hole / square inner headed bolts turn round. I ground them off from the inside. Bit of heat so beware the pain on the valence but it was the only way.

[myoldjalopy]

In the past I have used a hammer and cold chisel to break the bolt. I have also hacksawed a groove in the head of the bolt to hold it with a screwdriver, but doing this may well scratch your bumper in the process. When I did mine, the bumper was so poor that it was being replaced anyway, so this didn't matter.

[Mark Wilson]

Have saturated in WD40 with no improvement,

I find Plusgas or similar penetrating oil works a bit better than WD40. My current tin now calls it "maintenance spray"

Can you get a mole grip on the exposed thread behind your spanner?

[mogbob]

" No access to heat ".
You can always try a kettle of boiling water. Put some old newspaper down on the garage floor, pour gently and avoid splashing any boiling water on yourself ! It might take more than one application but worth a shot. Make a cup of tea with any leftovers.
Bob

[BIGRAB]

Thanks to all for the quick replies, I'll get in about it tomorrow with the suggestions.

Regards

[GBond]

If nothing else works you could try welding something to the head of the bolt, of course using a lot of care not to damage the bumper, and only after grinding the chrome off. Hopefully less extreme measures will do it though, good luck!

[BIGRAB]

As much as the bolts/nuts are pretty rusty their still very solid.

After a couple of thuds with the hammer and chisel they were not going to give in easily, the thought of doing them all ???????????

So, I've taken the easy way out, loads of elbow grease with steel wool has made them much more presentable.


Regards

[myoldjalopy]

Next time, maybe a small angle grinder?

[Shropshiremoggie]

Could you have got a nut splitter in ??

[BIGRAB]

Yes angle grinder would be the best bet, Ill need to invest in one.

Regards