How do I get a bolt out??

[jim-bob]

Taking apart my 67 GMC as much as I can before taking it to the body shop.(very little experience)..removing front fender and inner fender (PS)..was removing the bolts holding the inner fender to the edge of outer fender..as you all know the square nuts are held in place with a retaining clip..I was using my impact when one just started spinning and bolt not coming out..It's at the top and very hard to see but I can feel the clip has come loose from fender edge and distorted..I didn't use the impact anymore but did the same thing with another one using my ratchet..I cannot get a wrench or pliers in there to hold the messed up clip and nut..what can I do?? Please and thank you..

[Xeen]

Depending on what tools you have access to there are several options.
If you have air tools you can use a mini grinder and 2" cut off disk and precisely remove the head of the bolt.
You can drill the head of the bolt off.
You can drill an access hole in the inner fender structure and immobilize the nut.
If the fenders and inner fenders aren't worth saving you can make a triangle shaped cut and remove the entire section bolt included.

[BlueBullet]

I just spray with PB blaster and use a visegrip and 3/8 impact. It can be tricky to get the visegrip on.

[BlueBullet]

Also had fender and we'll off truck easier to get at that way

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by BlueBullet

Also had fender and we'll off truck easier to get at that way

Thanks blue,,but I can't get to the nuts..I'm gonna try removing both pieces at one time..fender and inner well then I should be able to get to the nuts.

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by Xeen

Depending on what tools you have access to there are several options.
If you have air tools you can use a mini grinder and 2" cut off disk and precisely remove the head of the bolt.
You can drill the head of the bolt off.
You can drill an access hole in the inner fender structure and immobilize the nut.
If the fenders and inner fenders aren't worth saving you can make a triangle shaped cut and remove the entire section bolt included.

..Thanks Brian..all sounds sensible..Yes I do want to save them they're in great condition..don't have air tools but I do have a dremel that has cut off a bolt head..but since I first posted I wondered if I could take off the inner and outside fender as a unit..There is a total of three bolts that did this..First one with a impact then a ratchet..I could get to the bad nuts then..

[summitflier]

If you don't want to save the bolt, you can tack weld/JB weld/super glue a nut to the top of the bolt head. That way you can get wrench on both ends.

[jim-bob]

Originally Posted by summitflier

If you don't want to save the bolt, you can tack weld/JB weld/super glue a nut to the top of the bolt head. That way you can get wrench on both ends.

..I don't quite understand what you're saying..I'm a little dense somtimes Its the nut on inside of fender edge that is spinning because the retaining clip came off fender..I can't reach the nut with anything to hold it while I remove the bolt..

[Oregon 1967 GMC]

sounds like a good time. Sometimes I might slide a hacksaw blade in somewhere and cut like hell. It could be hell but I'm sure you'll figure it out, make sure to take a break when your frustration starts to peak

[franken]

The way to remove bolts on stuff that tends to snap (or anything dirty/rusty) is lube, loosen a bit, tighten a bit, repeat.
You either have to get pliers on the clip nut or cut off the bolt head.