Tailgate Trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

drmiller1 · 11-06-2008, 10:05 AM

Hello Truckers,
I have a bolt and anchor missing at the support arm bracket. There does not seem to be a way to get behind the hole to put a nut and bolt setup in. Are there options? I have considered a toggle bolt, but these are not very strong. Thanks for your input.
note: hopefully it can be fixed with out damaging the paint

kxnomore · 11-06-2008, 12:41 PM

Is what's left of the hole too big to try a thread insert like a heli coil? If so, you might be able to find a large lag bolt that can grab the sides of what's left of the metal. Or drill some smaller holes off to the side for a couple of smaller but still stout sheet metal screws?
And if none of those work you could maybe JB Weld the hole up, and then drill and tap the correct size threads?
And lastly you could JB Weld the hole up and install the bracket with the bolt, and clamp it all up until it dries. That would be a semi permanent install but at least your paint would be all good.
good luck...

68gmsee · 11-06-2008, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drmiller1

Hello Truckers,
I have a bolt and anchor missing at the support arm bracket. There does not seem to be a way to get behind the hole to put a nut and bolt setup in. Are there options? I have considered a toggle bolt, but these are not very strong. Thanks for your input.
note: hopefully it can be fixed with out damaging the paint

Can you post a pic of the damaged bolt hole? Someone may be able to come up with a solution if they can see the damaged area.

OhioDan · 11-06-2008, 05:53 PM

Not sure what you're talking about?

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-06-2008, 06:55 PM

Easy fix!! Just remove the taillight assembly and you can access where the weld nut was. Just use a nut and washer and you will be fine. You could always weld the nut at a later date if you want. WES

drmiller1 · 11-07-2008, 09:19 AM

Sorry about the question. I thought I put the the pic up too. Here it is. I will take that taillight out and see if I can get in there. Thanks

OhioDan · 11-07-2008, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classic Heartbeat

Easy fix!! Just remove the taillight assembly and you can access where the weld nut was. Just use a nut and washer and you will be fine. You could always weld the nut at a later date if you want. WES

68gmsee · 11-07-2008, 10:20 AM

It sure seems like I see part of the nut inside, but maybe it's the light reflecting on the metal. Anyway, if the threads were just reamed out, a person could re-tap with a slightly larger diameter tap size. But, if it's gone, and you can't get to it by removing the taillight asm then you'd have to get back there by removing a piece of the fender sheetmetal.

A fix that I would use to get by is to align the bolt hole with another bolt and spot weld the bracket on the top edge. This way you could grind the spot weld off if you ever needed to remove the bracket.

fyi: I've had my bed and tailgate completely off for repairs and so far I've never had to remove that piece -so, for the most part, it would be a permanent fix.

drmiller1 · 11-07-2008, 01:26 PM

Well I was able to get at it with the light out. Problem fixed. thanks guys.

**Classic Heartbeat** · 11-07-2008, 01:39 PM

Glad to hear!! WES

11-06-2008, 10:05 AM	#1
drmiller1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 90	Tailgate Trouble Hello Truckers, I have a bolt and anchor missing at the support arm bracket. There does not seem to be a way to get behind the hole to put a nut and bolt setup in. Are there options? I have considered a toggle bolt, but these are not very strong. Thanks for your input. note: hopefully it can be fixed with out damaging the paint __________________ Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71

11-06-2008, 12:41 PM	#2
kxnomore Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: CA Posts: 331	Re: Tailgate Trouble Is what's left of the hole too big to try a thread insert like a heli coil? If so, you might be able to find a large lag bolt that can grab the sides of what's left of the metal. Or drill some smaller holes off to the side for a couple of smaller but still stout sheet metal screws? And if none of those work you could maybe JB Weld the hole up, and then drill and tap the correct size threads? And lastly you could JB Weld the hole up and install the bracket with the bolt, and clamp it all up until it dries. That would be a semi permanent install but at least your paint would be all good. good luck...

11-06-2008, 05:53 PM	#4
OhioDan Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: New Carlisle, Ohio,USA Posts: 1,404	Re: Tailgate Trouble Not sure what you're talking about? Attached Images __________________ LIFE AIN'T EASY WHEN YER FAT AND GREASY! GMC= Got More Class! 1970 GMC LWB, Fleetside, 350/4spd, Flowmaster "40's", 2002 GMC 16" Rallies, cowl hood,and added a bunch of options that weren't there when I started.

11-06-2008, 06:55 PM	#5
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Tailgate Trouble Easy fix!! Just remove the taillight assembly and you can access where the weld nut was. Just use a nut and washer and you will be fine. You could always weld the nut at a later date if you want. WES __________________ 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

11-07-2008, 09:19 AM	#6
drmiller1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 90	Re: Tailgate Trouble Sorry about the question. I thought I put the the pic up too. Here it is. I will take that taillight out and see if I can get in there. Thanks Attached Images __________________ Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71

11-07-2008, 10:20 AM	#8
68gmsee Active Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Centrally located between Houston, Austin and Waco. BCS area. Posts: 7,947	Re: Tailgate Trouble It sure seems like I see part of the nut inside, but maybe it's the light reflecting on the metal. Anyway, if the threads were just reamed out, a person could re-tap with a slightly larger diameter tap size. But, if it's gone, and you can't get to it by removing the taillight asm then you'd have to get back there by removing a piece of the fender sheetmetal. A fix that I would use to get by is to align the bolt hole with another bolt and spot weld the bracket on the top edge. This way you could grind the spot weld off if you ever needed to remove the bracket. fyi: I've had my bed and tailgate completely off for repairs and so far I've never had to remove that piece -so, for the most part, it would be a permanent fix.

11-07-2008, 01:26 PM	#9
drmiller1 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Mid Michigan Posts: 90	Re: Tailgate Trouble Well I was able to get at it with the light out. Problem fixed. thanks guys. __________________ Nothing better than an old truck... 76 C-10 Silverado 92 Silverado Z71

11-07-2008, 01:39 PM	#10
Classic Heartbeat Project Junkie! Fishing Poor!! Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Olympia,Wa. 98512 Posts: 10,766	Re: Tailgate Trouble Glad to hear!! WES __________________ 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

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