So simple that its not.. *urgent'ish*(pics)

[Spiggie]

I have the floating bumper lights on my front end, one felt loose so I went to tighten it and the bolt like.. snapped. The head part and some of the swirly part are still there on each one, keeping the bolts (in picture ) on still. Naturally to fix this i need those bolts off to thread threw new bolts. 1 problem, the bolts are freestanding in those holes for the most part, i spin the nut>the bolt spins too. How can I fix this! :O

****The bolts are still like this-i seriously can not figure out how to get them off---HELP PLEASE!! ****...and no vise grips didnt seem to work, although i dont really know how to use them, they didnt even seem viable to take the nut off.....If problem is still unclear, the bolt is in the hole and is FREE MOVING, the nut (and washer) are on the bolt, So the question is, how do you twist a nut off a bolt that is free moving (the bolt i used was smaller than the hole in the black bar).

 

[Spiggie]

Sorry for the horrid picture quality. jus snapped them with my iphone an posted.

 

[Spiggie]

I just cant seem to get those bolts out!! My runner is only one eyed now

 

[gaterose]

I'm a little confused as to what the problem is, I understand you broke your bolt head but why can't you pull the bolts out from the other side?

edit - maybe better pics would help?

 

[scottm]

If you can reach the bolt head with a vice grips or such that would be easiest. If you can reach either end of the bolt with a grinder, such as a Dremel, that would work well. Looks like you could get a long chisel up there, kinda medieval but a possiblility.

 

[Spiggie]

Ill try that, but its just that the nut is stuck onto the bolt, and there is nowhere on the bolt to grab/hold so i can spin the nut off, freeing the bolt. It was like a perfect snap really.

 

[dpayne11]

If there isn't enough bolt to grab and turn with vise grips you might have to use a screw extractor, or easy out. The problem there is you might have to use a drill to use them. They will turn into the bolt and try and twist it out. If you really need that bolt there then i'd try it. If its just a cosmetic thing i would leave it alone.

 

[Spiggie]

:hiding: Bump for the bolts still being attached... see the *****edit on first post for more details. !

 

[blkexp98]

Can you get a picture of the area from further back? Im having issues figuring out where this really is for some reason. Also do you have access to the bottom side of the bolt? If so and there is enough room try to clamp a vise grip on the head. Having access to the bottom side will make a big difference in a solution.

 

[scottm]

This is sort of a common thing to have happen, usually takes some creativity and mechanical experience. "Swirly thing" makes me suspect you aren't real experienced, which makes this all the more impressive that you're still trying. Maybe someone here lives in your area, where are you?

 

[Spiggie]

It is the bar that is found in momo.75 (spelling<<) thread on 'floating bumper lights' . It is found in the hood , front bar .

 

[blkexp98]

Ok i see where it is now that i looked at mine. Its going back to front towards the plastic bumper. Can you feel any bolt heads right behind the plastic bumper? It feels to me like that part is a a square box so chances are the bolt isnt inside. I also wouldnt want to drill any other holes in it since it is the real bumper it looks like.

 

[Spiggie]

what do you mean bolt heads behind the plastic bumper? Not sure what you meant, the bolt head is inside of that bar.. as in there is no way to physically 'touch with my fingers' the bolt head...unless i start destroying that bar( which i dont want to) or unless i had a rubber hand and arm to put inside that bar heh!

 

[blkexp98]

I read the post you mentioned above and see you pushed them into place from the inside. I dont see how you ever got them tight doing it like that with no access on the inside. Anyway it looks like you going to have to take a grinder or dremel to the nuts. So make two cuts opposite of each other or simply cut through the nut and bolt parallel with the bumper. You may could even use a hack saw and cut right at the bottom of the bolt. If it wont stay still hold it with the vice grips with one hand and saw with the other. Since you didnt give yourself access to the bolt head this looks like the only way without drilling more holes. If you dont mind that you can drill a new hole on the front of that bumper where you can put a socket through. That will make the bumper a little weaker maybe and be a new point rust could form.

I dont know enough about airbags but since it is the bumper i dont think i would take a cold chisel to it. Im paranoid about setting off the airbags anyway but who knows how the airbag sensors will handle the impacts of that if they are even tied into that point. Like i said though im just paranoid about that and you could probably just disconnect the battery IF its even an issue.

 

[Spiggie]

Its good now ! Took a saw to the bolts an got em out! now to find better bolts... still wondering why they snapped last time.... and with a wrench you can tighten the bolts just fine without seeing the head of the bolt. read Momo's thread on how he did it, its amazing and will answer most questions.