[KO]

While attempting to remove the front spring hangers on my CJ7 frame I broke one of the bolts. On the next one the nut was spinning inside the frame so I just cut off the bolt head and the remaining piece of bolt and the nut disappeared into the frame leaving a 1/2" hole in the bottom of the frame.

For the broken bolt I will attempt to drill out the bolt and retap the nut.

For the missing nut, should I cut an access hole on the inside of the frame underneath the front crossmember and slip in a new nut welded to a plate and tack it in there? Or would it be better to drill a hole in the bottom of the frame rail about the size of the nut and weld it in place flush with the bottom of the frame? I want to avoid weakening the frame.

Any other ideas?

Thanks

 

[KO]

thanks for the info Guys, unfortunately for me all 3 of the welded in nuts have disappeared on the front spring hanger/steering box mount. There isn't a hole big enough to feed in a bolt with a plate to stop it from spinning so I may have to use Larry's suggestion and cut a hole on the inside under the front crossmember.

If I cut a hole is it better to make a round or oval hole rather than a square hole? I'm hoping to fit in some flat bar with all 3 nuts attached then I'll just have to tack it in the middle.

I forgot to mention I'm working with a bare frame so I won't have to work underneath the jeep.



[This message has been edited by KO (edited March 14, 2002).]