Help getting my bumper off! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jbobzien · 03-15-2009, 04:42 PM

Howdy I have a 1978 Chevy C-10. The problem I'm running into is:

If you have seen these before I'm sure you know that the opposite side of that great lil bolt head is a rusted thread with a rusted nut on it. I got it loosened, but now that the whole bolt has wiggle room I can't stop it from going around with that smooth head on the outside. How can I get the rusted nut off the rusted threads? It won't come any further. I have already soaked the thing in WD-40 and tried working it forward and back with no luck. Any ideas on how I could secure that smooth head without destroying it??

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,

--John

dooce · 03-15-2009, 04:46 PM

Why are you worried about destroying the bolt? It needs replaced anyways right?

72freak · 03-15-2009, 04:49 PM

Your going to have to cut, torch or grind!

Great design!!!!

heavychevy79 · 03-15-2009, 05:33 PM

I would weld it to the bumper if I was just going to discard it anyway.

72 CustomCamper · 03-15-2009, 11:31 PM

If you have anymore like that, instead of loosening them,try tightening them until they wring off. I've had to do that a few times...

Chuck

James McClure · 03-16-2009, 07:54 AM

Hay Chuck, been a while since you posted. Anyways, that's a hell of an idea.33 years as a mechanic and I struggled with bumper bolts all the time and never even thought of snapping them off!! It's quick & easy and doesn't damage anything except the bolt. Good show. I'll keep this in the back of my mind. You should post this in the FAQ area. Lots of folks will benifit. jim

72 CustomCamper · 03-16-2009, 02:33 PM

I've been busy prepping the blazer for a heart transplant...

Chuck

babyJay · 03-16-2009, 03:01 PM

Use a pnuematic cutoff tool ($8 at harbor freight), make an X in the bolt head. Then use a pnuematic air chisel ($12 set same place), place on side of head, it'll pop right off of there. The new bolts are not that expensive to buy, and if the square carriage is rounded you need new ones anyway.

Driveway Dreams · 03-16-2009, 03:51 PM

The idea to snap the bolt off is probably your best bet to not damage anything but the bolt. I use PB Blaster instead of WD-40. It works a whole lot better to really get in and get things loose. WD-40 is more of a lubricant.

85Bowtie · 03-16-2009, 10:13 PM

You should be able to lock a pair of thin long nose visegrips onto the bolt if you have some. The just hold it with one hand and wrench it with the other, or, just wrench it around until the visgrips get "locked" against something like the bumper, then keep wrenching it off.

Use stainless when you put the new bumper back on.

jbobzien · 03-17-2009, 07:11 AM

Thanks for all the great options guys! I'm going to put it off unfortunately when I went to start my truck up is started blowing very thick white smoke non-stop out of the tail pipe and muffler itself. It was making enough smoke to hide an army in about 10 minutes DOH! But when I do get back to the bumper I'm going to try a couple try a combination of what you guys suggested, as well as upgrading to PB Blaster!

Thanks a ton guys!

John

mrbigshot · 03-17-2009, 09:48 AM

i suggest a head gasket or magnafluxing the heads before you worry about the bumper.

.

personally i use the gas axe to cut them off but a $25 angle grinder from walmart works to.

03-15-2009, 04:42 PM	#1
jbobzien Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Thomas, Kentucky Posts: 5	Help getting my bumper off! Howdy I have a 1978 Chevy C-10. The problem I'm running into is: If you have seen these before I'm sure you know that the opposite side of that great lil bolt head is a rusted thread with a rusted nut on it. I got it loosened, but now that the whole bolt has wiggle room I can't stop it from going around with that smooth head on the outside. How can I get the rusted nut off the rusted threads? It won't come any further. I have already soaked the thing in WD-40 and tried working it forward and back with no luck. Any ideas on how I could secure that smooth head without destroying it?? Any help would be appreciated! Thanks, --John

03-15-2009, 04:46 PM	#2
dooce Registered User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Tinker, OK Posts: 369	Re: Help getting my bumper off! Why are you worried about destroying the bolt? It needs replaced anyways right? __________________ 1976 Chevy 1/2T 2wd SWB 327/Saginaw 4spd 3.73:1 LQ4 6.0/T56 Build thread http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=772071 LFSalleeII@gmail.com

03-15-2009, 04:49 PM	#3
72freak Rottenwood Garage Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 4,321	Re: Help getting my bumper off! Your going to have to cut, torch or grind! Great design!!!! __________________ 2004 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2001 Chevrolet 2500HD Crew 6.0 1999 Harley Davidson Electra Glide 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Custom Camper "Dump Truck" 1972 Chevrolet C-20 Suburban "Big Green" 1969 Chevrolet C-50 Wedge Hauler "Leonidis" 1966 C-10 2x4 short fleet 327 4 speed "Race Truck" 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook "Rican" (my grandfathers) 1931 Ford Model A Coupe "Black Beauty" 1930 Ford Model A truck "Club Cab" 4x4 Rottenwood Garage and Speed Shop.....where everything must be racy! *It's not just a hobby..It's a LIFESTYLE!!!* Thanks for nothing Barrett-Jackson You cant fix stupid or teach accountability! Time wasters, looky Lous and tire kickers are everywhere!

03-15-2009, 05:33 PM	#4
heavychevy79 Cheyenne Super Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Dallas Texas Posts: 545	Re: Help getting my bumper off! I would weld it to the bumper if I was just going to discard it anyway.

03-15-2009, 11:31 PM	#5
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: Help getting my bumper off! If you have anymore like that, instead of loosening them,try tightening them until they wring off. I've had to do that a few times... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-16-2009, 07:54 AM	#6
James McClure One shot, one kill. Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Saratoga Springs NY Posts: 859	Re: Help getting my bumper off! Hay Chuck, been a while since you posted. Anyways, that's a hell of an idea.33 years as a mechanic and I struggled with bumper bolts all the time and never even thought of snapping them off!! It's quick & easy and doesn't damage anything except the bolt. Good show. I'll keep this in the back of my mind. You should post this in the FAQ area. Lots of folks will benifit. jim __________________ 1984 K20 350M engine with 465,000 miles. Well, it's finally done!! Almost 2 years of work, but it was really worth the effort. Little stuff left to do is mount winch, wet sand & buff out and build belly pan\running boards. Body work takes lots and LOTS of beer!!!! God, Guts and Guns made America and God, Guts and Guns will preserve it! The worst thing you could do is get into my sights, but that don't matter, you'll never know it, cause you'll never hear the shotJim or Paladin whichever you choose.

03-16-2009, 02:33 PM	#7
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Re: Help getting my bumper off! I've been busy prepping the blazer for a heart transplant... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

03-16-2009, 03:01 PM	#8
babyJay Arrived on a Pale Horse Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: SnagTown Indiana Posts: 2,524	Re: Help getting my bumper off! Use a pnuematic cutoff tool ($8 at harbor freight), make an X in the bolt head. Then use a pnuematic air chisel ($12 set same place), place on side of head, it'll pop right off of there. The new bolts are not that expensive to buy, and if the square carriage is rounded you need new ones anyway. __________________ Jason 87 V30 350TBI/400 White w/Boss V-plow 89 R3500 CC SRW

03-16-2009, 03:51 PM	#9
Driveway Dreams I have car A.D.D. Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Greeley, Northern Colorado Posts: 4,147	Re: Help getting my bumper off! The idea to snap the bolt off is probably your best bet to not damage anything but the bolt. I use PB Blaster instead of WD-40. It works a whole lot better to really get in and get things loose. WD-40 is more of a lubricant.

03-16-2009, 10:13 PM	#10
85Bowtie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: TN Posts: 410	Re: Help getting my bumper off! You should be able to lock a pair of thin long nose visegrips onto the bolt if you have some. The just hold it with one hand and wrench it with the other, or, just wrench it around until the visgrips get "locked" against something like the bumper, then keep wrenching it off. Use stainless when you put the new bumper back on. Last edited by 85Bowtie; 03-16-2009 at 10:13 PM.

03-17-2009, 07:11 AM	#11
jbobzien Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Thomas, Kentucky Posts: 5	Re: Help getting my bumper off! Thanks for all the great options guys! I'm going to put it off unfortunately when I went to start my truck up is started blowing very thick white smoke non-stop out of the tail pipe and muffler itself. It was making enough smoke to hide an army in about 10 minutes DOH! But when I do get back to the bumper I'm going to try a couple try a combination of what you guys suggested, as well as upgrading to PB Blaster! Thanks a ton guys! John

03-17-2009, 09:48 AM	#12
mrbigshot Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: northern mn Posts: 5	Re: Help getting my bumper off! i suggest a head gasket or magnafluxing the heads before you worry about the bumper. . personally i use the gas axe to cut them off but a $25 angle grinder from walmart works to.

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