How to remove skid plate Nut in frame?

[Greydog]

Do the dealer totally lunched a drill and tap for the DR bolt on the front skid plate. The hole is very oblong and a third of the nut is misisng, so tapping is not a great option,

Any ideas on how to get that captive nut out? There is an opening in the frame so it's possible to get a narrow tool in there, but it's a straight-in approach, no way to get any angle on it.

Torch it and chisel ?

I was thinking of replacing with one of those steel clips with nut on top.

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[jow]

Please post a pic or some pics. It’s hard to visualize w/o pics that drilling and over sizing is not the best option.

 

[AKABlig]

I used a hammer and punch that just fit in the frame and broke the weld loose. Then put in a Rivnut.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

I used a hammer and punch that just fit in the frame and broke the weld loose. Then put in a Rivnut.

Really? How well is the RivNut holding up? I plan on doing the same thing when I order some new skidplates, since many of them use the existing bolt holes.

Also what size are you using? The largest I found were 8mm, though I'd like to bump them to 10mm if I could find some.

 

[AKABlig]

I replaced all with stainless machine bolts (washers & lockwashers) the same size on all the skid plates. I enlarged the holes on the plates and had no problems through 6 oil changes now.

I got the rivet nuts from McMaster Carr.

 

[Greydog]

Since the hole is somewhat oblong due to the dealer drilling sideways it seems, I'm going to drill it out to a much larger hole and try to get the nut off.

If the nut is stubborn I'll try a Nutsert first, otherwise will try the RivNut.

Thanks guys.

 

[2k54RUNNIN]

Mine is rattling and I accidentally knock out one of the lock nuts for the bolt. I am also interested in the RivNut. How is it holding up thus far?

 

[Greydog]

I never repaired it, been debating on a skids. So finally ordered a Man A Fre front skid which bolts to the front of the forward stock skid and again at the rear of the back stock skid, so it skips those mid mount points.