Hood nut problem
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 106
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Hood nut problem
About a year ago I wrapped the front end of my f-150 around a phone pole.
Replaced the bumper, inner and outer fenders on the passenger side, core support, radiator (put the fan through it, it was a new one too) and hood.
After I got everything together and lined up, I discovered that one of the hood nuts spins freely. Turns out the little sheet metal box its sitting in is bent to hell and gone.
I'm doing a restore on the truck soon, and (if possible) would like to fix it while I have the fender off. Whats the best way to fix/replace that nut?
Replaced the bumper, inner and outer fenders on the passenger side, core support, radiator (put the fan through it, it was a new one too) and hood.
After I got everything together and lined up, I discovered that one of the hood nuts spins freely. Turns out the little sheet metal box its sitting in is bent to hell and gone.
I'm doing a restore on the truck soon, and (if possible) would like to fix it while I have the fender off. Whats the best way to fix/replace that nut?
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 746
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From: Minnesota
oh...yes...I know what you are talking about now. I had that problem in the past with one. I ended up removing that sheet metal retainer box, and simply aligning everything with the remaining bolts / nuts that were still useable, and when everything was tight and aligned, I simply put a nut and washer on the back of the third one. Tough spot to get for any other type of repair.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 82
From: NorCal
I had the same problem with my 73.. the caged or captive nut was spinning freely. 'had to remove the inner fender and rebend and re-weld the cage back on.
I found some rust too where the metal flange is spot welded to the inner fender and created a pocket where moisture got in but had trouble evaporating or draining. Engineering back in the day was simple but not forgiving -especially without undercoating.
I found some rust too where the metal flange is spot welded to the inner fender and created a pocket where moisture got in but had trouble evaporating or draining. Engineering back in the day was simple but not forgiving -especially without undercoating.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
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Alright, so I'll remove the cage and see if that can be repaired, seems to me like it'd take 2 people to deal with just a nut and bolt.
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
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From: NorCal
Yep. It was a PITA to have to deal with something so relatively simple.
I am a Navy Vet and regularly cursed the engineers who designed the aircraft. The dix paid little mind to the guys and gals on the flight line who had to fix things... for example, Seven wiring plugs that were color coded but the harness was so short that I couldn't see what I was doing. I literally had to lie on my back, slither up against the fuselage wall with only my feet sticking out in the cabin walkway in order to see what I was plugging into. Then my assistant tech had to pull me out by my feet to extricate me from the equipment rack. 2nd example, a lightning arrestor that was wedged so tight above an air duct that all the blood runs out of your arms before all the captured screws could be removed... and you couldn't see half of them.... I digress.
I am a Navy Vet and regularly cursed the engineers who designed the aircraft. The dix paid little mind to the guys and gals on the flight line who had to fix things... for example, Seven wiring plugs that were color coded but the harness was so short that I couldn't see what I was doing. I literally had to lie on my back, slither up against the fuselage wall with only my feet sticking out in the cabin walkway in order to see what I was plugging into. Then my assistant tech had to pull me out by my feet to extricate me from the equipment rack. 2nd example, a lightning arrestor that was wedged so tight above an air duct that all the blood runs out of your arms before all the captured screws could be removed... and you couldn't see half of them.... I digress.
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