does a square peg fit into a round hole? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

TRAU 82 · 10-21-2011, 11:45 AM

hows it going guys...sure i'm not the first one to ask and prob wont be the last, but got a question hoping you guys can shed some light. is there any good/better way to repair any of the square holes in the bed of our trucks for the carriage head bolts that may have gotten rounded out when removing the bed for the first time? tried like hell to keep it from happening, but when 2 or 3 started rounding out and spinning in place, i broke out the grinder and had to grind off every head!!

any advice you guys can offer will be much appreciated...

lindstromjd · 10-21-2011, 11:50 AM

Cut a little out of the weakened / rounded metal and weld in some new, stronger metal? That would be my guess... but I'm pretty handy with a welder and sheet metal working tools, so something like that would be easy for me. Depends on your personal skill level and comfort with doing a job like that.

ont_guy_38 · 10-21-2011, 02:23 PM

Actually when putting new bolts in they will tighten good with the rounded out hole or excuse my language but some of the older fords trucks in the 80's had box bolts with a torx head on them

TRAU 82 · 10-21-2011, 03:06 PM

the availability of tools to do a job like that might prove to be an issue but as far as tackling the task at hand i wouldnt mind...would just try and suck up the new ones as much as possible first before i went through all the work. just didnt know if any of you guys had an easier fix to the problem. any other suggestions..?

Prong · 10-21-2011, 04:27 PM

http://www.classicparts.com/1973-87-...ctinfo/08-912/

These and a welder will fix you up. That's what I did to mine. And after bedlining the bed, they're hardly noticeable.

Goldfinger · 10-21-2011, 07:55 PM

I've had a friend take some washers slightly smaller than the carriage bolt head and stamp the square into them at a machine shop. then weld them in and grind them smooth.

russgt · 10-21-2011, 11:02 PM

You could tack weld the head of the bolt to the floor to keep it from spinning.

liftlawssuck · 10-22-2011, 02:18 PM

I just put regular bolts back in. Forget about the carriage bolts. That way the next time they come right out. Lay a nice GM bed mat down and one will never know. As for getting the carriage bolts out. I always weld a nut to top of the bolt and put a wrench on it. I realize that you already got them out but maybe it will help next time.

TRAU 82 · 10-24-2011, 11:29 AM

appreciate the advice fellas!

10-21-2011, 11:45 AM	#1
TRAU 82 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbus, Texas Posts: 37	does a square peg fit into a round hole? hows it going guys...sure i'm not the first one to ask and prob wont be the last, but got a question hoping you guys can shed some light. is there any good/better way to repair any of the square holes in the bed of our trucks for the carriage head bolts that may have gotten rounded out when removing the bed for the first time? tried like hell to keep it from happening, but when 2 or 3 started rounding out and spinning in place, i broke out the grinder and had to grind off every head!! any advice you guys can offer will be much appreciated...

10-21-2011, 11:50 AM	#2
lindstromjd Gentleman Jim owner x2 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: West Des Moines, IA Posts: 464	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? Cut a little out of the weakened / rounded metal and weld in some new, stronger metal? That would be my guess... but I'm pretty handy with a welder and sheet metal working tools, so something like that would be easy for me. Depends on your personal skill level and comfort with doing a job like that. __________________ 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #1 -357 / 700r4 1975 GMC Gentleman Jim #2 -350 / TH350

10-21-2011, 02:23 PM	#3
ont_guy_38 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ontario Canada Posts: 1,006	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? Actually when putting new bolts in they will tighten good with the rounded out hole or excuse my language but some of the older fords trucks in the 80's had box bolts with a torx head on them

10-21-2011, 03:06 PM	#4
TRAU 82 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbus, Texas Posts: 37	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? the availability of tools to do a job like that might prove to be an issue but as far as tackling the task at hand i wouldnt mind...would just try and suck up the new ones as much as possible first before i went through all the work. just didnt know if any of you guys had an easier fix to the problem. any other suggestions..?

10-21-2011, 04:27 PM	#5
Prong Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Location: CO Posts: 476	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? http://www.classicparts.com/1973-87-...ctinfo/08-912/ These and a welder will fix you up. That's what I did to mine. And after bedlining the bed, they're hardly noticeable.

10-21-2011, 07:55 PM	#6
Goldfinger Registered User Join Date: May 2010 Location: laurel hill Fl Posts: 645	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? I've had a friend take some washers slightly smaller than the carriage bolt head and stamp the square into them at a machine shop. then weld them in and grind them smooth. __________________ 1985 C10 Custom Deluxe LWB 305/700r4 [ Goldfinger ] 1999 k3500 crew cab dually 6.5tdi/4l80e

10-21-2011, 11:02 PM	#7
russgt Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: Waukesha, WI Posts: 904	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? You could tack weld the head of the bolt to the floor to keep it from spinning. __________________ 70 stepside 76 blazer 86 Silverado 20 Max Trailering 6.2 Crew 71 Nova SS My Blazer build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=363634

10-22-2011, 02:18 PM	#8
liftlawssuck Registered User Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: MA Posts: 353	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? I just put regular bolts back in. Forget about the carriage bolts. That way the next time they come right out. Lay a nice GM bed mat down and one will never know. As for getting the carriage bolts out. I always weld a nut to top of the bolt and put a wrench on it. I realize that you already got them out but maybe it will help next time.

10-24-2011, 11:29 AM	#9
TRAU 82 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Columbus, Texas Posts: 37	Re: does a square peg fit into a round hole? appreciate the advice fellas!



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