How to replace welded body nuts?
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Junior User
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 78
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From: Davis, Ca
How to replace welded body nuts?
My '56 has three nuts that were factory welded to the body broken loose. One holds the left gas tank bracket to the cab rear. Another holds the tailgate hinge to the bed. The third holds the left hinge top to the hood and concerns me the most. Any advice on how and what to replace these nuts with? Where do you get replacement nuts?
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
Likes: 2
From: Riverside, So Cal
I replace the broken factory weld nuts with flange nuts. I bolt it up to hold it in place, then tack weld the flange to the sheet metal. I used them for the front fender and inner fender factory nuts.
If you have finished paint that you dont want to damage from welding, you probably should just use a regular nut in place of the weld nut, provided you can get a wrench on it.
If you have finished paint that you dont want to damage from welding, you probably should just use a regular nut in place of the weld nut, provided you can get a wrench on it.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
If welding is an option drill a 3/16" hole right next to the nut. OK if you nick the nut, but you need to get the hole so it touches the side of the nut, hole doesn't need to be perfectly round, so just worry it over until you are against it if you missed a little. Now just plug weld fill the hole.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,919
Likes: 1,052
From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
another option if you have a fraction of an inch around the hole is a rivet nut sometimes called nutserts. I wouldn't put a life supporting load on them... but for the tailgate hinge or gas tank bracket they will work fine... the hood hinge too probably since there are more than one bolts holding this part... you might try a google search on rivet nuts to find a local distributor... come in all sizes from 8-20 up thru 5/16 or so
here's one source... more on google
rivet nuts
and another
they take a special tool to insert them...sorta like a pop rivet tool on steroids...but they aren't terribly expensive and can be used for lots of projects... car makers use them for mirrors, luggage racks, etc
later
John
here's one source... more on google
rivet nuts
and another
they take a special tool to insert them...sorta like a pop rivet tool on steroids...but they aren't terribly expensive and can be used for lots of projects... car makers use them for mirrors, luggage racks, etc
later
John
Last edited by jniolon; Dec 25, 2006 at 04:37 PM.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
From: Adams,CO.
Or a bent ( as a handle ) allthread with two nuts and an oiled or greased washer between the two nuts..... Use 2 wrenches to spread the rivnut. This will allow for using all sizes and buy no tools. However, the 40.00 tool is like the best tool ever and works like magic.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 7
From: Erie, pa
There are also "Caged" nuts that are held in place by small rivets or Tac welds.
The Rivenuts and the Caged nuts have been around for along time in the Aircraft and Auto Industry.
The Rivenuts and the Caged nuts have been around for along time in the Aircraft and Auto Industry.
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 3
From: Michigan
Originally Posted by fking1
Mid Fifty sells a hood nut repair kit for the weld nuts that come off. I used it for one of my hood hinge bolts and it works.
Fred
Fred
Fred
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