rusted bed side bolts......... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

qksilver · 09-02-2006, 07:45 PM

I am trying to take apart a 67 fleetside bed. It is in pretty good condition but I want to take it apart so I can clean it all up do some small repairs.
The problem is, I don't have a welder other than gas and no air. The nuts under the bed are rusted so they won't take a socket.
I have tried torch.........no good, no room, chisel, wearing me out, prying and after 6 hours and only 9 bolts, came home and here I am asking for advice...........
Thanks,
Steve

cdowns · 09-02-2006, 07:49 PM

just try tightening them they should break pretty easy

Livrat · 09-02-2006, 08:09 PM

Wow can't even get a socket on them? I normally use a 6 point 1/2 drive socket and ratchet and just tighten them up and bust them off.... One "other" way I have removed them is to center punch the heads and drill em with a bit just a tad larger than 5/16".. Or find the tool called the "nut buster" but that's hard to get into some of the nooks and crannies where some of the carriage bolts are...

qksilver · 09-02-2006, 08:21 PM

Never thought to tighten them........try that tomorrow.
The bed isn't rusted but the bolts look like they melted.......not torch or anything like that. They were packed with sand, got the bed from just below Dallas and it came from Mexico.
I will try using a metric 12 point, Craftsman of course, and tighten them.
thanks,
Steve

cdowns · 09-02-2006, 08:38 PM

the oyher thing i've also done is using a 3"cutoffwheel in a die grinder ground down the heads / but you have to have a real steady hand to noy damage the sheetmetal/ you just grind it down about 95-98% then you can center punch them thru the hols

Livrat · 09-02-2006, 08:49 PM

The 12 point socket may just "slip" on the rusty nuts.. try a 6 point if at all possible.. more gripping power.. Preferably a "taiwan" cheapy and beat it on with a hammer if needed

qksilver · 09-02-2006, 09:02 PM

The only reason I was thinking a 12 was because there really aren't any flats on whats left of the nuts

**special-K** · 09-03-2006, 08:56 AM

Doesn`t Bob Villa have a wrench for that?Someone write him a letter

.I drill,like Livrat,or grind,like CDowns.If the right-angle grinder won`t get on it,try a drill or cut-off/die-grinder tool.

Jimbotronics · 09-03-2006, 10:47 PM

For some of them I used a cut off wheel to cut a slot and then held the bolt with a flat head screwdriver while the wife used the impact to back the nut off. Others I had to do what cliff mentioned and grind the head completely off and punch it through.

qksilver · 09-03-2006, 11:20 PM

no air and no help! I was able to break a few more off.......

jimmydean · 09-04-2006, 12:12 AM

I have a bed side that the bolt spin in because the hole was rusted. I used a cut off whell and punch method. Now I just need to patch the holes and bolt it on my truck.

jhow66 · 09-04-2006, 12:48 AM

Best thing since sliced bread--a set of Sears damaged bolt remover sockets.

qksilver · 09-04-2006, 10:51 AM

ah, now that will work........hows my 56? LOL
Thanks

grayw0lf · 09-04-2006, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cdowns

the oyher thing i've also done is using a 3"cutoffwheel in a die grinder ground down the heads / but you have to have a real steady hand to noy damage the sheetmetal/ you just grind it down about 95-98% then you can center punch them thru the hols

I'm also a fan of the grinding/cutoff method. An air hammer makes a nice center punch.

jhow66 · 09-04-2006, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qksilver

ah, now that will work........hows my 56? LOL
Thanks

Still MINE!

GMCPerson · 09-05-2006, 07:46 AM

Sears damaged nut removers have work well for me many times. I used them to get the header panel off my bed a few months ago!

byrd · 09-05-2006, 08:28 AM

I drilled almos all of mine out, was faster and easier imo than cutoff method. Drilled the whole bed apart in a couple of hours. I think I used a 3/8" bit iirc

qksilver · 09-05-2006, 08:24 PM

It is apart...........finally. I wish I hadn't sold my compressor

09-02-2006, 07:45 PM	#1
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	rusted bed side bolts......... I am trying to take apart a 67 fleetside bed. It is in pretty good condition but I want to take it apart so I can clean it all up do some small repairs. The problem is, I don't have a welder other than gas and no air. The nuts under the bed are rusted so they won't take a socket. I have tried torch.........no good, no room, chisel, wearing me out, prying and after 6 hours and only 9 bolts, came home and here I am asking for advice........... Thanks, Steve

09-02-2006, 07:49 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... just try tightening them they should break pretty easy __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-02-2006, 08:09 PM	#3
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... Wow can't even get a socket on them? I normally use a 6 point 1/2 drive socket and ratchet and just tighten them up and bust them off.... One "other" way I have removed them is to center punch the heads and drill em with a bit just a tad larger than 5/16".. Or find the tool called the "nut buster" but that's hard to get into some of the nooks and crannies where some of the carriage bolts are... Last edited by Livrat; 09-02-2006 at 08:55 PM.

09-02-2006, 08:21 PM	#4
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... Never thought to tighten them........try that tomorrow. The bed isn't rusted but the bolts look like they melted.......not torch or anything like that. They were packed with sand, got the bed from just below Dallas and it came from Mexico. I will try using a metric 12 point, Craftsman of course, and tighten them. thanks, Steve

09-02-2006, 08:38 PM	#5
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... the oyher thing i've also done is using a 3"cutoffwheel in a die grinder ground down the heads / but you have to have a real steady hand to noy damage the sheetmetal/ you just grind it down about 95-98% then you can center punch them thru the hols __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

09-02-2006, 08:49 PM	#6
Livrat Member #1049 Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Troy Montana Posts: 3,940	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... The 12 point socket may just "slip" on the rusty nuts.. try a 6 point if at all possible.. more gripping power.. Preferably a "taiwan" cheapy and beat it on with a hammer if needed Last edited by Livrat; 09-02-2006 at 08:51 PM.

09-02-2006, 09:02 PM	#7
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... The only reason I was thinking a 12 was because there really aren't any flats on whats left of the nuts

09-03-2006, 08:56 AM	#8
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,861	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... Doesn`t Bob Villa have a wrench for that?Someone write him a letter.I drill,like Livrat,or grind,like CDowns.If the right-angle grinder won`t get on it,try a drill or cut-off/die-grinder tool. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

09-03-2006, 10:47 PM	#9
Jimbotronics YA YA Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Rockledge, Fl Posts: 1,273	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... For some of them I used a cut off wheel to cut a slot and then held the bolt with a flat head screwdriver while the wife used the impact to back the nut off. Others I had to do what cliff mentioned and grind the head completely off and punch it through. __________________ Jimbo '72 SWB - 350 (frame-off resto in progress - donations accepted) '04 Chevy Avalanche '03 Cadillac CTS (wife's ride) Restoration progress - http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=335707

09-03-2006, 11:20 PM	#10
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... no air and no help! I was able to break a few more off.......

09-04-2006, 12:12 AM	#11
jimmydean Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Beaverton, OR Posts: 3,728	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... I have a bed side that the bolt spin in because the hole was rusted. I used a cut off whell and punch method. Now I just need to patch the holes and bolt it on my truck.

09-04-2006, 12:48 AM	#12
jhow66 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Knoxville Tenn. Posts: 3,058	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... Best thing since sliced bread--a set of Sears damaged bolt remover sockets. Attached Images __________________ 56 Chevy Bel-Air 2dr. HT (purchased new) 71 Chevy Cheyenne SWB PU (502HO) 65 GMC short bed step--work in progress and my gofer

09-04-2006, 10:51 AM	#13
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... ah, now that will work........hows my 56? LOL Thanks

09-05-2006, 07:46 AM	#16
GMCPerson Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Milford, MI Posts: 192	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... Sears damaged nut removers have work well for me many times. I used them to get the header panel off my bed a few months ago!

09-05-2006, 08:24 PM	#18
qksilver Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Southern Pines NC Posts: 3,853	Re: rusted bed side bolts......... It is apart...........finally. I wish I hadn't sold my compressor



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