Leaf Spring Bracket Stuck!!!

i was trying to take off the front leaf spring mount off on the driver side on my 3rd gen but the rear bolt of the 3 is stuck! theres supposed to be a welded nut on the inside of the rear frame that its bolted to but the weld broke so its just spinning :mad: i tried to wedge a screwdriver in the small access hole that is only about 1 1/2 inches long (its an oval) but i can't get that to work so i tried to get a crows foot in there but that didn't work out either :mad:

i figured i had two options:
1. cut off the bolt but then when i go to torque it back in place i won't be able to do that... so i dont think this option will work
2. cut an access hole on the inside of the car to gain access to the nut and then plug it with a rubber plug and seal it with silicone...


what do you guys think? :rolleyes: i need to get this off!!
help!! :yes:

I made access holes for mine.

it's actually a j-nut. a little crappy sheet metal clip with a nut on it. i've heard of someone drilling a small hole where the clip should be, sticking the bit through it and that anchored the j-nut enough to unbolt the rusty bolt. use a lot of wd-40 on it. i think they first cut the head of the bolt off so they could see the j-nut though and figure out where to drill. you can drill the middle of the bolt enough to get an easy out in there to back it out. that way you don't have cute holes in your rocker panels on the top side. and you don't have to take your carpet out. i don't think mike has carpet. too much weight...

I've cut off the bolts before. Then to put it back together I welded a piece of coat hanger to a nut. the coathanger allows you to guide it back in place through the square acess hole and will also hold the nut enough to be able to tighten things back down. If that makes sense. Use a knurled nut like on an exhaust clamp so it will grip by itself once it's tightened some. That will save you from having to cut a hole through your floor.

If you cut the head off the bolt, you cn remove the spring pocket. Then you can pry the original bolt and j-clip out. Then go buy 6 new j-clips and bolts and replace them all. New j-clips have a better design. Instead of a nut welded to a clip, the new ones look more like a tube made onto the clip, it's 1 peice. Then just bolt ot all back together. You can get the new clips from any hardware store like ACE, True Value, or Lowe's.

http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/4959/novarearspringbucketinffy8.jpg

You cut the head off the bolt.

Once you do this and remove the springs. You can get the blind nut out.
Replacement kit can be purchased here:
Part # SK30
CLASSIC MUSCLE
Division of Modern Chevrolet
5415 Kelley-Moore Drive
Winston Salem, NC 27105

(800) 722-4828
Fax (336) 727-4856




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Lots easier than what I said. Cheap too.... :yes:

i don't think mike has carpet.

My car has never had carpet--it came with rubber mats only. And I used a screwdriver and a hammer to make my access holes!! And they're still all torn open from when I did it!! I don't do pretty on my Nova.

I don't do pretty on my Nova.



you should. nobody would expect it. people might not even recognize you when you go to the track either.