Home > Maintenance & Modifications > Front Bumper Bolt has snapped - how to resolve? |
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blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382 |
You could perhaps cut the lower mounting off the old bumper, which would then (probably) allow enough access to cut the broken bolt off the captive nut plate.
I can't remember without looking whether there's enough access from underneath to cut the nut plate with a cold chisel, or drill and split the captive nut, or drill the bottom of the bolt out of the nut plate, with the bumper in place. Removing the wing won't help much, and you certainly don't want to start cutting the chassis rail. |
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16th Oct 2018 8:41am |
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hafman Member Since: 28 Mar 2017 Location: W Sussex Posts: 81 |
Thanks blackwolf; here are a couple of photos of the "good" side (please ignore the rust!); they show how it will be very difficult to cut off the lower horizontal tab that is attached to the bumper as it sits on top of part of the rail. And the internal "tubes" are also going to be very difficult to get to.
Click image to enlarge Click image to enlarge |
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16th Oct 2018 8:49am |
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blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382 |
It really wouldn't take long to cut the bumper off, but you'd not be using it (the original bumper) again afterwards! An angle grinder with a thin (1mm or so) disc and that would be off in under 5 minutes.
With the bumper out of the way your prospects improve since you could probably get a hacksaw blade between the nut plate and the chassis and cut the nut plate off the broken bolt, then retrieve the bolt from above. |
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16th Oct 2018 9:17am |
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hafman Member Since: 28 Mar 2017 Location: W Sussex Posts: 81 |
blackwolf - you are my hero du jour! I had become so myopic focusing on how to save the (easily replaceable and comparatively cheap) bumper that was considering cutting & welding the chassis rail. Madness!
It took me all of 10 minutes to cut the bumper up in to suitably small pieces and then remove the captured nuts. Now need to paint on some red oxide or similar, and then fit the new bumper. Many thanks!!! |
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16th Oct 2018 10:19am |
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jst Member Since: 14 Jan 2008 Location: Taunton Posts: 8029 |
Glad it's sorted. You might want to run a drain cleaner hose on a pressure washer through the chassis rails too! Cheers
James 110 2012 XS Utility 130 2011 M57 bespoke Camper 90 2010 Hardtop 90 M57 1988 Hardtop |
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16th Oct 2018 11:29am |
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blackwolf Member Since: 03 Nov 2009 Location: South West England Posts: 17382 |
Glad to have been of help!
I know it is only too easy to become so focused on one thing that the bigger picture is overlooked. |
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16th Oct 2018 11:38am |
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