Any tips on how to replace the front fender braces?

[chillware]

Looks like I'm going to need to replace both of my front fender braces, the bottom bolt hole is completely stripped out on one and the other was BADLY drilled out and is now an oval bolt hole.

Anyone have any tips on getting these out? they look like the fender is is just folded over them, how should I go about getting them out?

Or is there an easier way to fix these bolt holes?

Thanks!!

[blackedoutharley]

Weld them up and then drill and tap maybe? Or Helicoil?

[gostranger]

drill an over size hole stick a new bolt in the hole and weld it up done!!!

[PGSigns]

What I would do with the one in the picture is cut out about a 1 inch square and then make a replacement plate 1 1/8" with the hole drilled in it and a nut welded on the back side. Then weld that to the fender brace and dress it up. Quick and easy fix. Should work on both fenders.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

X2

Originally Posted by pgsigns

what i would do with the one in the picture is cut out about a 1 inch square and then make a replacement plate 1 1/8" with the hole drilled in it and a nut welded on the back side. Then weld that to the fender brace and dress it up. Quick and easy fix. Should work on both fenders.
Jimmy

[chillware]

alright, I'm gonna cut 'n weld I'll post pics

What was the original bolt size? I'm thinking it was 3/8 Fine Thread?
Thanks!

[Captainfab]

Yes, I believe they are 3/8"-24

Originally Posted by chillware

alright, I'm gonna cut 'n weld I'll post pics

What was the original bolt size? I'm thinking it was 3/8 Fine Thread?
Thanks!

[chillware]

Starting cutting the first one out tonite, got late. Will weld in tomorrow

I ran in to a bit of thin / rusted out metal while cleaning up the edges, you see in one of the pics below.. i cut it back, hopefully enough to not thin to still blow some holes w/ the welder..

[chillware]

last few for today

[chillware]

If I cold figure an easy way to get the braces out, i would still do it.. lots of rust behind them

http://www.dreamershotrods.com/front...dgmctruck.aspx

[forestb]

X2 on his question only mine are rusted out and there are no more holes left. I was wondering if there is an easy way to replace them. The fenders themselves are not rusted just the braces. The PO's solution was to weld the bottom of the fender to the cab.

[SFTorange]

My rear braces were completely rusted through. I had them replaced, and it didn't seem too difficult. It looks like you just have to drill out some spot welds and bend back the fender where it is pinched around the old brace. To install the new one, re-spot weld, and and re-bend the fender around the new brace. I made sure to drill out the drain hole to allow water to flush dirt and grime out from behind my new brace.

[chillware]

Originally Posted by SFTorange

My rear braces were completely rusted through. I had them replaced, and it didn't seem too difficult. It looks like you just have to drill out some spot welds and bend back the fender where it is pinched around the old brace. To install the new one, re-spot weld, and and re-bend the fender around the new brace. I made sure to drill out the drain hole to allow water to flush dirt and grime out from behind my new brace.

Interesting I may try pulling out and see what happens..

[XtechX]

This trick works great for replacing stripped threads.. Go to the hardware store and buy some threaded T nuts ( I think thats what they're called). drill out the old threads and put them in the hole and weld into place. You now have perfect new threads. But before you can put them in you will need to grind the little teeth off the back of them so they will fit in the hole flat. The teeth are so you could tap them into wood with a hammer I think. This method works awsome and is real cheap.

[chad64chevy]

i dont know if you have a replacement fender brace to look at but im still trying to figure out how i was gonna do my braces! there is a few spot welds and if you look at the top of the fender brace there is another smaller brace with weatherstripping attached its tacked to it and then you can see how it will all go together! i have my fender patches to do and was thinking of cutting the fender patch then go up another 4-6in and cut the brace then weld in the new brace and weld in the fender patch

[chillware]

Originally Posted by chad64chevy

i dont know if you have a replacement fender brace to look at but im still trying to figure out how i was gonna do my braces! there is a few spot welds and if you look at the top of the fender brace there is another smaller brace with weatherstripping attached its tacked to it and then you can see how it will all go together! i have my fender patches to do and was thinking of cutting the fender patch then go up another 4-6in and cut the brace then weld in the new brace and weld in the fender patch

if you go that route take some pics, i'd like to see how it comes out.