front impact bumper removal question/problem

super80 · 03-23-2014, 09:42 AM

Tried to remove the front bumper from my 77 911s . All was going well until I it was time to remove the two nuts from the the left front of the bumper. I noticed the bolts are turning along with the nuts. The nuts from the right side came off without problem. Has anyone has this issue and what did you do? Is there anywhere to grab that bolt for leverage?

porschenut · 03-23-2014, 10:04 AM

It looks like there's enough of the bolt protruding out past the nuts to grab hold of them with vise grips. I'd try that, but first squirt some PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench on them to try to make the nuts turn easier.

Howard M · 03-23-2014, 10:14 AM

I can't offer any advice on your nut problem, but when I did this job on my '76 to replace the "smile" I took the opportunity to cut a window in the bottom of the bumper, similar to what the factory did on SC's to improve air flow to the fender mount oil cooler. I lined the square hole, cut with a jig saw, with plastic molding. Completely invisible unless you're on your knees looking under the bumper.

super80 · 03-23-2014, 12:51 PM

I sprayed the nuts with SiliKroil Solvent, and I tried using a vise grip on the part of the protruding bolt, but no dice. Just ended up destroying the ends of the bolts. sigh....nothing is ever easy.

if anyone has any suggestions, please send 'em my way. Not sure what to do in this case

super80 · 03-23-2014, 12:56 PM

Here's a stupid question, If I keep turning the nuts/bolts together, won't they eventually come off anyway from what is holding them behind the bumper, or will they keep turning into oblivion?

MikeD · 03-23-2014, 02:46 PM

I think they are studs that are/were welded to the support bracket. You may have to just grind the nuts off and weld in new studs. Sorry.

VFR750 · 03-23-2014, 02:48 PM

If it is really a bolt in there, you should be able to maneuver a socket wrench between the bumper and valance. It is not easy, but you can probably do it. I do it on mine.

super80 · 03-23-2014, 02:53 PM

I think MikeD is right, the studs I believe are welded into the bumper shocks, and if they're turning, that means the weld broke and probably grinding the nuts off would be my only option. There is no way to get a tool back there that I can see of.

VFR750 · 03-23-2014, 02:56 PM

True, if they are studs, there is no hex to get a wrench on. Time to cut the nut off.

strudelwagon · strudelwagon's Garage

Unless of course they have been off before and the PO installed a bolt instead. Either way I would just cut them off or use a zip cutter disc in your grinder and zip just the nut off like VFR said
Good luck

SW

Shaun @ Tru6 · 03-23-2014, 03:11 PM

They are welded studs. No harm in cutting the nuts/studs off, you can weld new studs back in once off.

I just pulled the bumper on an 86 yesterday. the bumper shock/ram is held in place by 2 bolts and one nut. In this pic, you can see the upper bolt on the metal C holding it to the body. The very back of the ram there is a stud and nut holding it to the body.

AVDCAV · AVDCAV's Garage

Just cut them off with a cutoff wheel , drill a nice hole
And replace with a carriage bolt, this is also a good excuse to buy a cheap
Welder if you don't have or.

Better adjustment with carriage bolts anyway.

porwolf · 03-25-2014, 04:42 PM

Why not using a cut-off tool like a Dremel with an abrasive disc to cutt off the nuts and leave the studs in place. The nuts are easily replaced. That is what I would do.

Jonny042 · Jonny042's Garage

What Shaun said - take the bumper shock off the body, you'll be able to see what's happening and take it from there.

Maybe a quick tack, or..... leave it alone. Not likely to fall off.

Cooper911SC · 03-25-2014, 06:36 PM

I would just drop the valence first. Then you can look at the backside of the shock/bumper.

My bet is that the studs broke in the past and a PO drilled holes and used bolts. Easy enough to take the shock assembly off and get the bolts welded on.

Good luck.

Cooper

sailchef · sailchef's Garage

Here's another view that might help.

Bill Douglas · 03-25-2014, 08:07 PM

You have enough thread to grab them with a pair of vice grips and get the nut loose with a wrench. You can even apply some heat to the nut as well. If that doesn't work try the above idea of grinding them off with an angle grinder.

Good luck.

Ronnie's.930 · 03-25-2014, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Douglas

You have enough thread to grab them with a pair of vice grips and get the nut loose with a wrench.

See post #4.

super80 · 03-26-2014, 02:58 AM

Thanks for the replies. I can get my finger back there and it does not feel like a bolt, it feels like the stud weld broke and this is why it is spinning. I will just grind the nuts off later this week.

As far as grabbing on to the protruding thread, tried that and those nuts are on there pretty good, could not get them to move. Applied heat, than penetrating solvent. No dice.

javadog · 03-26-2014, 03:46 AM

Rather than grind the nuts off and damage your bumper in the process, just remove the nut on the end of the bumper shock and loosen or remove the clamp around it. Remove the shock and bumper as an assembly and then tack weld the studs back into place, if they are not too rusty. Then remove the nuts.

There's no sense in making extra work for yourself and those nuts are in a recessed area of the bumper. You won't get them off without screwing up the bumper or the studs, or both.

JR