Radiator body mount bolt removal - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Yukon Jack** · 10-29-2002, 12:33 AM

The driver side radiator body mount bolt has just a carriage bolt head (round) and it spins freely while I'm trying to get the nut off. Any suggestions on how to remove the nut?

junkyardjohn · 10-29-2002, 02:00 AM

IF ALL ELSE FAILS, I USUALLYHOLD THE NUT WITH VISE GRIPS TO KEEP IT FROM SPINNING, WHILE I CUT THRU THE RUBBER MOUNT & BOLT WITH A SAWZALL.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 10-29-2002, 02:36 AM

Fire wrench works for me.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com

**68 Stepside** · 10-29-2002, 02:37 AM

if you can get to the head of the carriage bolt, just grind it off. If you can't really do that, and don't wanna fubar the rubber mount, find someone with a good quality nut splitter.

TJ

Lippyp · 10-29-2002, 04:11 AM

Again, if you can get to the head cut a slot across it with a hacksaw or Dremel and hold it with a screwdriver to stop it turning.

JimKshortstep4x4 · 10-29-2002, 07:57 AM

If the rubber mounts are good, I use an air chisel otherwise liquid wrench is used, (torch).

Jim

Old Dave · 10-29-2002, 09:34 AM

If I remember correctly those heads on those carriage bolts are hard to get to to cut the head off or get vice grips on. I suggest take Wes's advice and get out the "blue wrench".

Custom 68 · 10-29-2002, 10:03 AM

I just removed mine with the same problems. I took a dremel tool with a GOOD small cutoff wheel and cut 2 flats and then used vise grips. Otherwise the vise grips just slipped off. It worked for me

I didnt have any of that liquid wrench

yet

**Yukon Jack** · 10-29-2002, 11:11 AM

I need to get a better selection of tools. No torch, sawzall, dremel. Do have an air cutoff tool though, maybe I can get that to work. This bold will be difficult to get out from the top or bottom. Just gonna take some ingenuity I guess!

The mounts are being replaced as are the bolts so maybe I can get the air hammer in there and chisel it off like mentioned above. What were they thinking, putting that type of bolt in. Surely they knew these things would be on the road long enough to need replacement

Primered_69 · 10-29-2002, 12:02 PM

I had my cousin hold the bottom with a pair of vise grips then tried to put my 6'2' 290 lbs of strength behind it.

IT would not budge ...until the bolt snapped in half sending my hand into some sharp sheet metal on the radiator support giving me a nice gash on two fingers and bruising (felt like broken) knuckles.

Thus, I too would suggest cutting them off unless you have a good pair of padded gloves.

Michael A. K. G · 10-29-2002, 12:29 PM

I'd try the nut splitter. Though you would need a relatively big one for this. Nut splitters are cheap, and even faster to use than "blue wrenches" (minimal setup). And they won't melt the rubber parts.

But first, make SURE you are turning only one of the nuts. There are two, stacked right against one another. The nuts will be a WHOLE LOT easier to turn if you take them one at a time. Perhaps you can use a backup wrench to separate them.

**Yukon Jack** · 10-29-2002, 01:11 PM

I will have to take a closer look, only looked like one nut on it.

What is a nut splitter.

Michael A. K. G · 10-29-2002, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Yukon Jack
What is a nut splitter.

Oh, man. You don't want to know.

Here is a pair. Note the price.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-29-2002, 07:24 PM

Try and save the bolt. Its a odd size (7/16 i think) and home depot dosent carry that size.
Randy

Blue_71 · 10-30-2002, 12:00 AM

if you need new bolts tell me, theres a store at the end of the road i can get them for you for about 30 cents each, and about 20 cents on the taps

barn9 · 10-30-2002, 12:19 AM

LOL! Hey Mark, these guys must think bolts aren't available in Kansas! ROFLMFAO!! Let me know in the morning if you need the grinder or sawzall, I'll be coming up your direction around 4-5 pm. I'm supposed to be at DeFazio's before 6:30. Don't let these guys scare you about bolts, every hardware or farm supply store around this country has them. "Home Depot doesn't carry that size".................LOL! That's a classic!

**JIMs70GMC** · 10-30-2002, 07:16 AM

Since it's spinnig I guess the square washer the carriage bolt goes in is gone? Want to make sure you get a new one. I had to cut mine off to. At least it's not the passenger side with the battery tray in the way. To get in there I shifted my radiator out of the way.

Fred T · 10-30-2002, 09:09 AM

Jack - If you have a die grinder and a cutoof wheel just slice the bolt in two righ through the mount. When I did the mounts on my 52 I replaced the carriage bolts with std hex heads, I was able to reach in with a thin wrench.

meathead95 · 10-30-2002, 01:34 PM

the good ol grinder always works for me.

OLDCHEV4X4 · 10-30-2002, 05:55 PM

Home depot didn't have them.
Lowes didn't have them.
Local mom and pop store didn't have them.
Grainger didn't have them.
McMaster Carr had them but you had to order a box of 25.
Im not saying Kansas dont have bolts. Im giving you a little insight into the problem i encountered. Sure , i could use a hex head bolt or make something work. But i like my trucks to be correct. And 7/16-14 x 4.5 long is correct.

**Yukon Jack** · 10-30-2002, 06:19 PM

Is it odd that one side was a carriage style and the other side was a hex bolt?

I'm doing a body lift so I'm not reusing this bolts. Hopefully will get out tonight and get it unbolted.

10-29-2002, 12:33 AM	#1
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Radiator body mount bolt removal The driver side radiator body mount bolt has just a carriage bolt head (round) and it spins freely while I'm trying to get the nut off. Any suggestions on how to remove the nut? __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-29-2002, 02:00 AM	#2
junkyardjohn Registered User Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: SOMERSET KY. Posts: 6,425	IF ALL ELSE FAILS, I USUALLYHOLD THE NUT WITH VISE GRIPS TO KEEP IT FROM SPINNING, WHILE I CUT THRU THE RUBBER MOUNT & BOLT WITH A SAWZALL. __________________ junkyardjohn 69 1 TON TOW TRUCK // 84 4WD CUCV BLAZER// 85 1 TON 4WD STAKE TRUCK// 86 M1031 5/4 TON 4WD CUCV// ALOT OF OLD TRUCKS FOR ONE OLD MAN TO DRIVE. THERES ROOM FOR ALL OF GODS CREATURES RIGHT NEXT TO MY MASHED POTATOES// LIFE MEMBER OF P.E.T.A (PEOPLE EATING TASTY ANIMALS) DON'T RENT U-HAUL ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH IT WILL AMAZE PART OF THE PEOPLE & ASTONISH THE REST

10-29-2002, 02:36 AM	#3
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Fire wrench works for me.... WES www.ClassicHeartbeat.com __________________ On-line catolog Classic Heartbeat Pickup Parts WEHEPP@comcast.net Call us Toll Free (888) 338-2502 Like Us on Facebook No appointment necessary. 72 BB Chevy Custom Deluxe / Custom Camper 67 I-6 (Soon to be 5.7 LS1) Panel 68 BB Chevy Short Bed 72 6.0 LQ9 Short Bed Chevy 4X4 Olympia's fastest growing truck parts supplier. Olympia's home for Wayward Chevys

10-29-2002, 02:37 AM	#4
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	if you can get to the head of the carriage bolt, just grind it off. If you can't really do that, and don't wanna fubar the rubber mount, find someone with a good quality nut splitter. TJ __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

10-29-2002, 04:11 AM	#5
Lippyp English Chevy Owner Join Date: May 2002 Location: Shropshire, UK/ Lot, France Posts: 1,848	Again, if you can get to the head cut a slot across it with a hacksaw or Dremel and hold it with a screwdriver to stop it turning. __________________ Phil '67 C10 long fleet. 350/TH350, 4 bbl Carter, K&N, Dual exhaust, loads of stuff coming soon 2001 S10 Blazer Daily Driver, bone stock 4 door 4x4 with manual transmission

10-29-2002, 07:57 AM	#6
JimKshortstep4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Muskegon,MI,USA Posts: 6,026	If the rubber mounts are good, I use an air chisel otherwise liquid wrench is used, (torch). Jim

10-29-2002, 09:34 AM	#7
Old Dave Is a bullfrog waterproof? Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: OLATHE, KANSAS Posts: 1,130	If I remember correctly those heads on those carriage bolts are hard to get to to cut the head off or get vice grips on. I suggest take Wes's advice and get out the "blue wrench". __________________ "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Ben Franklin __________________ 1970 Chevy shortbed 2002 Harley Custom Chopper (Long sucker) 1998 K2500 5.7L 5-speed Longbed 1st two are My son's toys...they just live in my garage! 1997 GMC K1500 Suburban 1993 S-10 Blazer 4D (youngest son's daily driver) 2000 Dodge Ram 4WD Ext. Cab (5.9L) Wife is a late year 1951

10-29-2002, 10:03 AM	#8
Custom 68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,939	I just removed mine with the same problems. I took a dremel tool with a GOOD small cutoff wheel and cut 2 flats and then used vise grips. Otherwise the vise grips just slipped off. It worked for me I didnt have any of that liquid wrench yet __________________ Dave 1968 Custom Chevy with turbo charged 5.3 gen III 4l80e swap 1967-71 GMC 3/4 ton long step 4x4 (not sure what year exactly?) "A good friend will bail you out of jail...but a true friend will be sitting next to you saying "that was frekin awesome". "If it doesn't fit force it...If it breaks then it needed to be replaced anyway!"

10-29-2002, 11:11 AM	#9
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	I need to get a better selection of tools. No torch, sawzall, dremel. Do have an air cutoff tool though, maybe I can get that to work. This bold will be difficult to get out from the top or bottom. Just gonna take some ingenuity I guess! The mounts are being replaced as are the bolts so maybe I can get the air hammer in there and chisel it off like mentioned above. What were they thinking, putting that type of bolt in. Surely they knew these things would be on the road long enough to need replacement __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-29-2002, 12:02 PM	#10
Primered_69 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Fort Worth Posts: 1,409	I had my cousin hold the bottom with a pair of vise grips then tried to put my 6'2' 290 lbs of strength behind it. IT would not budge ...until the bolt snapped in half sending my hand into some sharp sheet metal on the radiator support giving me a nice gash on two fingers and bruising (felt like broken) knuckles. Thus, I too would suggest cutting them off unless you have a good pair of padded gloves. __________________ 1969 Chevy LWB - with shaved handles; 3 1/2 front/ 5 1/2 rear drop; (waiting to be put back together)

10-29-2002, 12:29 PM	#11
Michael A. K. G Registered User Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: California central coast Posts: 126	I'd try the nut splitter. Though you would need a relatively big one for this. Nut splitters are cheap, and even faster to use than "blue wrenches" (minimal setup). And they won't melt the rubber parts. But first, make SURE you are turning only one of the nuts. There are two, stacked right against one another. The nuts will be a WHOLE LOT easier to turn if you take them one at a time. Perhaps you can use a backup wrench to separate them.

10-29-2002, 01:11 PM	#12
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	I will have to take a closer look, only looked like one nut on it. What is a nut splitter. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-29-2002, 07:24 PM	#14
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Try and save the bolt. Its a odd size (7/16 i think) and home depot dosent carry that size. Randy __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

10-30-2002, 12:19 AM	#16
barn9 Half a bubble off! Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Winfield, Ks, USA Posts: 5,588	LOL! Hey Mark, these guys must think bolts aren't available in Kansas! ROFLMFAO!! Let me know in the morning if you need the grinder or sawzall, I'll be coming up your direction around 4-5 pm. I'm supposed to be at DeFazio's before 6:30. Don't let these guys scare you about bolts, every hardware or farm supply store around this country has them. "Home Depot doesn't carry that size".................LOL! That's a classic! __________________ Just call me LB. '71 Cheyenne, 402BB, hauls blondes, brunettes, or redheads.

10-30-2002, 07:16 AM	#17
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	Since it's spinnig I guess the square washer the carriage bolt goes in is gone? Want to make sure you get a new one. I had to cut mine off to. At least it's not the passenger side with the battery tray in the way. To get in there I shifted my radiator out of the way. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm



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10-30-2002, 09:09 AM	#18
Fred T Cantankerous Geezer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Bel Aire, KS Posts: 6,264	Jack - If you have a die grinder and a cutoof wheel just slice the bolt in two righ through the mount. When I did the mounts on my 52 I replaced the carriage bolts with std hex heads, I was able to reach in with a thin wrench. __________________ Fred There is no such thing as too much cam...just not enough engine.

10-30-2002, 01:34 PM	#19
meathead95 computer illiterate Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Des Moines, IA Posts: 6,440	the good ol grinder always works for me. __________________ 72 2wd blazer 72 swb 4x4

10-30-2002, 05:55 PM	#20
OLDCHEV4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Chester County PA, USA Posts: 1,228	Home depot didn't have them. Lowes didn't have them. Local mom and pop store didn't have them. Grainger didn't have them. McMaster Carr had them but you had to order a box of 25. Im not saying Kansas dont have bolts. Im giving you a little insight into the problem i encountered. Sure , i could use a hex head bolt or make something work. But i like my trucks to be correct. And 7/16-14 x 4.5 long is correct. __________________ 72 k/10 short wideside 72 k/5 Blazer 72 K/5 Blazer - obstacle course racer 72 custom/10 8' bed 70 K/5 Blazer 67 C-30 GMC Flat bed 86 GMC K2500 Plow Truck 85 GMC K3500 84 M1008 85 M1008 77 G30 Motor Home 72 Sears 12hp Tractor Glenmoore, Pennsylvania

10-30-2002, 06:19 PM	#21
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Is it odd that one side was a carriage style and the other side was a hex bolt? I'm doing a body lift so I'm not reusing this bolts. Hopefully will get out tonight and get it unbolted. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

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