Front spring hanger bolt problem

[CJ7nvrstk]

So I'm taking off the bolts to my front spring hanger and the forward most bolt just spins, doesn't loosen. The nut inside the frame has broken loose and there's no way to get a wrench on it. Any suggestions?

 

[Hitman1881]

I just had the same issue today......
Only difference was mine was the rear bolt on passenger side. What I did was used a metabo to cut the head of the bolt off. That got my hanger off. Then I was able to stick the bolt with a lock washer on it through the frame hole and fish it around with one finger until I got it to drop in the bolt hole. So now I have the threads down. I put the new more hanger on, then a lock washer and nut. Then I snugged it up finger tight. Then I was able to stick a flat blade screwdriver through the frame hole and kind of jam it over the bolt head and hold it while tightening it. Then just as an added measure I double nutted the bottom side. It was a big pain in the ! Good luck, hope this helps.

 

[hdgapeach]

Same problem for me a while back. I chose to drill with a hole saw on the side of the frame an access hole that allowed me to put a lock washer, nut and box end wrench to hold it all while tightening. I used a grinder on the sides of the box end wrench to allow it to get in the hole. I think I used a 1" hole saw. An 1-1/4" would have been more convenient.

Hey, it gave me another place to hose the out of the frame! Added benefit. Good luck with however you tackle it.

 

[CJ7nvrstk]

Thanks for those ideas. I may try to fab up something to be able to get on it but these suggestions do help and give me some ideas. Thanks!

Any other suggestions would be appreciated as well.

 

[IOPort51]

I like the first one , if there is a place to put your finger. If not the 2nd is good too but I think I would weld the nut on the inside and a fish plate over the hole when I was done.

 

[hdgapeach]

Hey IO, thanks for the cover plate idea. Think I'll add that to the list! I wish I could weld the nut, but the hole is so small I don't think I could ever get a bead anywhere near where it needs to be. I drilled my holes higher up the side of the boxed frame, away from the bottom edge enough to hopefully prevent the possibility of the frame trying to crack. I had to thin down each side of a cheap 3/4" box end wrench just to get it in the hole and on the nut.

Looking at it, I may be able to tack a weld on the top of the nut to the bolt threads protruding through. That would definitely lock it down for sure. I don't anticipate ever having to remove them anyway. And if I ever did, I could just use the grinder with the cut off wheel again.