I'm trying to take my frame side trac bar bracket off. I'm down to one bolt, the rear under side bolt. The bolt itsekf threads upwqrds thru the frame bracket itself, and into a round disc the size if a nut. Looks like a weld insert, but it has come free and spins freely.

Since its round I can't easily grab it with pliers and get a good grip.

I don't have a strong enough welder to weld a bead that'll hold it in place.

I'm pretty sure I need to reuse this bolt, so I'd like to avoid cutting it.

...suggestions?


87 xj, 4l, ax15, 4wd, 3" lift

 

Small pipe wrench grips round better

 

Damn. Nope.

I can't get enough of the wrench on to get a grip

 

Smaller wrench

 

:/

I'm gonna see if I can get the rest off, the stuff on the axle side. Cool off and think about it.

 

big vise grips. but seriously if you can get a legit bead on it it will hold. try welding it. unless you have and failed then i'll shut up

 

i had the same problem. i drilled holes into the nut to split it and hammered the bolt out, cut it off the strip and replaced it with a new grade 8 bolt. works great and havent had a single issue yet.

 

Here is a pic for reference.

And the only welder I've got is my HF welder.

I doubt that'll cut it.

 

Another tool you might try is a Basin Wrench with a swivel head. It is a plumbing tool. I have used mine for more things than I would care to list. I have also broken a couple. But mine came with lifetime guaranties.

 

^^I'm not gonna find one of those at 8:30 on a friday night, unfortunately.

 

just cut it and go to the store to buy a new nut/bolt

 

Come on ! Get a grip.

Seriously, how strong a welder do you need to weld the nut to sheet metal?

 

I would clean that metal, hit it with a couple spot welds, and try to back the bolt out while its still warm, the metal on the out side should expand a little, and free the bolt in the center, short of that cut it out and r/r the hardware with grade 8.

 

That wasn't a good option at 830pm on a Friday. I'm at work now, had to get here today.

I'll probably take that route when I'm off at 2.