Need help removing inner fender - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

70 shorty · 01-10-2005, 11:07 PM

I'm trying to remove the inner fender to get to the heater core. Natually, I've got the hood off, and all the bolt except for the last 2 on the inner fender. They are as you're looking at it, the bottom and next to the bottom one on the backside of the wheelwell, that attach also to the fender lip. Apparently, there must it looks like a nut on the backside is just spinning. I've shot them with PB Blaster, as best I could. I was trying to get them off with an air ratchet, then tried a hand ratchet thinking if I took it slow, that might work, and obviously no luck. Any Ideas? I can't see anyway to get a wrench on the nut to keep it from spinning.

CHEVYE · 01-10-2005, 11:20 PM

can you clamp it with vise grips? also if you pull on the inner fender real hard (away from the nut) it might bind up enough to get started. if that doesn`t work you can alway spot weld it real quick!

gonebad2 · 01-10-2005, 11:21 PM

I have had to resort to using a cutoff tool to cut/grind the head of the bolt off. I have had captured weldnuts break off as well as "J" nuts split and just spin.

70 shorty · 01-10-2005, 11:24 PM

If you mean clamp it from the backside, no way, I can't see any way to get vise grips back there. However I didn't think of pulling the inner fender out as I loosened it. Spot welding is definitley not an option, I don't own a welder, nor would I even know where to begin. I'll try prying the inner fender out tomorrow, since I'm already in from the Garage and cleaned up for tonite.

68C15 · 01-10-2005, 11:24 PM

try the open end of a 1/2" wrench. the clip nuts you are referring to have a square nut & the clip has a large tendancy to rust away & break. if that doesnt work try a hacksaw blade to cut bolt between the 2 pieces of metal (inner fender & outter fender).

purple gas · 01-11-2005, 09:30 PM

HOT TIP! When you're taking off bolts & nuts that have never been taken off since new, or any old nuts / bolts. If they start easy , then get progressivly harder, give em a squirt of your favorite juice and let 'em sit for a while. The friction of removing the fastener can make it tighten up from heat expansion. ( Don't believe me, touch a bolt that was hard turning, they get real hot) With a little penetrating fluid, and some time to cool down they sometimes will turn out without breaking. Some will still break, but I've used this method with good results.

01-10-2005, 11:07 PM	#1
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	Need help removing inner fender I'm trying to remove the inner fender to get to the heater core. Natually, I've got the hood off, and all the bolt except for the last 2 on the inner fender. They are as you're looking at it, the bottom and next to the bottom one on the backside of the wheelwell, that attach also to the fender lip. Apparently, there must it looks like a nut on the backside is just spinning. I've shot them with PB Blaster, as best I could. I was trying to get them off with an air ratchet, then tried a hand ratchet thinking if I took it slow, that might work, and obviously no luck. Any Ideas? I can't see anyway to get a wrench on the nut to keep it from spinning. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

01-10-2005, 11:20 PM	#2
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	can you clamp it with vise grips? also if you pull on the inner fender real hard (away from the nut) it might bind up enough to get started. if that doesn`t work you can alway spot weld it real quick! __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

01-10-2005, 11:21 PM	#3
gonebad2 Merciless Butcher Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: CC Nevada Posts: 1,447	I have had to resort to using a cutoff tool to cut/grind the head of the bolt off. I have had captured weldnuts break off as well as "J" nuts split and just spin. __________________ Your Bought And Sold....I Got Your Soul!

01-10-2005, 11:24 PM	#4
70 shorty Where's my beer? Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Glen Allen, VA Posts: 1,768	If you mean clamp it from the backside, no way, I can't see any way to get vise grips back there. However I didn't think of pulling the inner fender out as I loosened it. Spot welding is definitley not an option, I don't own a welder, nor would I even know where to begin. I'll try prying the inner fender out tomorrow, since I'm already in from the Garage and cleaned up for tonite. __________________ 70 C10, shortstep, .30 over 250,Hurst shifted 3 spd parts hauler. Holley 390, Clifford Intake, Header, ported cylinder head, unknown bigger cam. 79 Corvette L82, 4 spd, black, red interior, headers, flowmasters, and unkown bigger cam. '03 Grand Cherokee Laredo, 4.0 4x4 daily driver. 165K miles, and runs great '08 Tahoe LTZ 4x4 155K

01-10-2005, 11:24 PM	#5
68C15 blood type; Retumbo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: next to my reloading bench Posts: 10,269	try the open end of a 1/2" wrench. the clip nuts you are referring to have a square nut & the clip has a large tendancy to rust away & break. if that doesnt work try a hacksaw blade to cut bolt between the 2 pieces of metal (inner fender & outter fender). __________________ Man rule #77...if you own a 67 stepside with a caddy 472 you will never be in danger of loosing you man card

01-11-2005, 09:30 PM	#6
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 686	HOT TIP! When you're taking off bolts & nuts that have never been taken off since new, or any old nuts / bolts. If they start easy , then get progressivly harder, give em a squirt of your favorite juice and let 'em sit for a while. The friction of removing the fastener can make it tighten up from heat expansion. ( Don't believe me, touch a bolt that was hard turning, they get real hot) With a little penetrating fluid, and some time to cool down they sometimes will turn out without breaking. Some will still break, but I've used this method with good results. __________________ I got a bench seat baby, you don't have to sit over there.



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