Any Idea How To Remove these?

[WannaBe68]

I've been banging away at these little clips for the lower 4 panel screws with no luck. The skin even started getting pushed in a bit. And yes - I've soaked them with all kinds-of of break free stuff!

Any idea how to remove these things?
Thanks!

[HO455]

The doors of my 67 had this style of cage nuts in them. You might try looking at the backside with a mirror,. Who know what someone may have done it the past.

[WannaBe68]

In the top left picture - the arm rest mounting holes have those exact kind-of cage nuts. But these panel nuts look the same on the front side and backside. Almost like they were pressed in??

[HO455]

Are they stripped? If so maybe drilling and tapping them one size larger in place is the answer.

[WannaBe68]

Some have the screw broken off, but I have all new hardware including the cage nuts you showed. I sure would like to remove these and start over...

[franken]

They're welded on.

[LockDoc]

^^^^^^
What he said.

Some are cage nuts some are welded. Looks like yours are welded. The cage nuts would be loose in the hole and you just squeeze the spring sides in to remove them.

LockDoc

[vectorit]

Welded to the panel

[WannaBe68]

Sorry about the focus - but the backside looks as square as the front side. I don't see any kind-of "welds"... Could they be pressed in? You guys know these ol' vehicles, so I'm sure I'm missing something!
Either way they have been playing havoc with me!
Thanks again for chiming in.

[68SWB4x4]

A couple of mine came loose removing the screws so I think a quick tap with a hammer and punch would do the trick...

[vectorit]

I think they are squished in, and then electrically welded.
When you get one that falls out, it looks like a simple square nut that has been squished. At least the ones in my looked that way.

[HO455]

You might try lightly grinding them with a small disc grinder until they are flush and try tapping them again. The smaller the disc the deeper into the nut you can get without hitting the panel. You might tape some shim stock around the nut to give the panel some protection as you go at it. Might work. Either that center punch them and drill and tap.

[WannaBe68]

I've been laying into them with a hammer and punch - so far it's been a big fat No-Go! Those badboys are "squished" in there nice and tight.

I'll break out the Dremel and a smallish cut off wheel and see what I can do.

Thanks again!

P.S. For basically a rust free Burb, that pic of the inside of the door makes it look nasty in there... might have to paint some POR15 in there before sending it out for paint...

[WannaBe68]

Since you are sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see how this turned out -

I bought a drill and tap combo for the size of screw that goes into these nuts. Drilled out the broken off shafts stuck in the nuts and then taped the holes and then ran the tap through all of the holes. Some things you slap your forehead about and this was one of them!
W-A-Y easier than hammer and chisel or dremel and cutoff wheel. Way easier...

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by WannaBe68

Since you are sitting on the edge of your seat waiting to see how this turned out -

I bought a drill and tap combo for the size of screw that goes into these nuts. Drilled out the broken off shafts stuck in the nuts and then taped the holes and then ran the tap through all of the holes. Some things you slap your forehead about and this was one of them!
W-A-Y easier than hammer and chisel or dremel and cutoff wheel. Way easier...

Good deal, glad you got the problem resolved. I have done it both ways. The ones that break out I have replaced with the plastic inserts for license plate screws. That also worked good.

LockDoc

[HO455]

Excellent!! Now it's party time!!!