[MDBlackChevyZ85]

Hey guys! I'm working on getting a set of spacers, and figured I would drop the bolts out of the front diff mounts, and wait for the spacers, and the new half shaft to come... or so I thought.

The Problem: I started loosening the bolts, and one appears to have a nut inside the boxed frame, with no apparent way in with a wrench. Is this the same on everyone elses, or did the welds brake off a nut welded to the frame?

HELP!!

Thanks.

***anyone response with a tech diagram would be most appreciated.***

 

[ssgjurista]

The nut should be welded inside the frame.

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

That is what I figured, but it certainly has broken the weld.... this simple fix is turning into a SUCK FEST! Thanks for the quick reply and help!

 

[ssgjurista]

You have access to a welder?

 

[M_O_Z]

More so can you access the nut? Get a vice grips on it? Or get a wire welder in there?

 

[Racer X]

Thats a first or hearing that happen.If you can get a welder on it that would be the best bet.

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

You have access to a welder?

Yeah, I've got an old buzz box stick welder at the house.

More so can you access the nut? Get a vice grips on it? Or get a wire welder in there?

The answer is most likely no on all of those. I was using a pry bar and leverage earlier just to try to get the bolt out once it started spinning on me.

I can see the nut through a nickle size hole in the frame. I wonder if this counts as "rust through" under the warranty section.. Can you say new frame??! Never happen though, given my past experiences with Chevy warranty plan. I guess driving through all of those flooded roads back in the day wasn't such a hot idea after all.... oops!

With low light and rainy weather, maybe I'll have better luck tomorrow.

 

[ssgjurista]

Use the welder to make a few tack welds thru the frame around the hole. You may be able to stick the nut fast and the heat may break the bolt loose.

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

Use the welder to make a few tack welds thru the frame around the hole. You may be able to stick the nut fast and the heat may break the bolt loose.

Sounds like a plan, but with my welding talents, I will likely just weld the bolt to the nut...haha.

I think I will likely try the other three tomorrow after it stops raining, and then let the weight of the differential pull on it for friction. At least the bolt threads aren't all rusted up tight.

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

I'll take pictures tomorrow for those who are curious to see it. btw once you see the size of the hole you'll really appreciate how hard it will be to tack it with a welder through the frame.

 

[lkout4trucks]

THOSE NUTS ARE WELDED LIKE ABSOLUTE SHIT. i have 2 out of 4 free spinning in my frame. sooooo bullshit. no dropped diff for me!

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

THOSE NUTS ARE WELDED LIKE ABSOLUTE SHIT. i have 2 out of 4 free spinning in my frame. sooooo bullshit. no dropped diff for me!

Dude, thanks for cheering me up! Can't wait to find more jack up problems tomorrow. Anybody want to start a pool to see how many will actually be welded come tomorrow??

 

[Racer X]

Can you get nuts into the frame on those spots?If so just grab a cut off wheel and chop the head off and push it thru the frame.Then slide the new nut in there.

 

[lkout4trucks]

only way to do it right is going to be to cut holes in the frame and better weld the nuts in place. they must have tack welded them on a friday afternoon before a long weekend...that bad. i knew i couldnt be the only one.

 

[M_O_Z]

Well they got a welder in there and a arc welder would be the easiest to get in there and hit a tack on it but I like mig welding cause it is easier to start the bead and can run a bead without running out of rod lol

 

[ssgjurista]

only way to do it right is going to be to cut holes in the frame and better weld the nuts in place. they must have tack welded them on a friday afternoon before a long weekend...that bad. i knew i couldnt be the only one.

Yeah I was thinking cut a hole with a hole saw/die grinder/sawzall, weld the nut fast, and then weld a patch over the hole.

Well they got a welder in there and a arc welder would be the easiest to get in there and hit a tack on it but I like mig welding cause it is easier to start the bead and can run a bead without running out of rod lol

The nuts may have been welded in place before the two halves of the frame were boxed together and welded.

 

[M_O_Z]

Take a screwdriver in there and try knocking some more paint off around the nut so you can make contact easier. I also like to take the tip of the welding rod and give it a slight whack on the ground to take a bit of the welding rod shielding coating.

 

[MDBlackChevyZ85]

These are all great ideas guys! Thanks when I get the diff down and actually get some of the work done I will snap some pictures as to what I did and how it worked out.

Anyone know where I can get a M14 x 5 in long bolt to replace the stock one that will be about a 1/4" short with 1" the diff drop? Or what the pitch is on M14 the bolt?

 

[ssgjurista]

The pitch is 2.0 and there are places online you can pick them up from. Here is one example: M14 METRIC HEX HEAD CAP SCREW 10.9, Each - Palmer Bolt & Supply Co.

 

[M_O_Z]

Or go to a local hardware store or a fastenal if there's one nearby.