[gassman_67]

Hello, I'm taking the fenders off my 67 GTO, got them all off with out issue...EXCEPT for the top bolt in the door jamb, it had 3 shims under it, but whatever nut is inside...is just spinning...no what? notch the end of the eyelet to give it a slotted end, so I can slide the fender forward? I've felt up and in behind, but I can't feel anything. HELP!!!

[gtospieg]

you could slot the fender but that won't solve the problem...cut the head off the bolt and then work on finding a way to remove the rest of it...you probably will need to cut into the door jamb to fix this because you need to be able to replace that bolt

[pfilean]

Is there access to the backside from the air plenum on the cowl?

[gassman_67]

I haven't removed the cowl, but the dash is out, and there is nothing behind the dash. I guess the cowl is coming off. Fingers crossed

[400 4spd.]

You said it had 3 shims behind it, so that gives you enough room for an air saw blade to chop the bolt off behind the head. Hold the bolt head with vise grips so it won't rotate while sawing the bolt.

[gassman_67]

Originally Posted by 400 4spd.

You said it had 3 shims behind it, so that gives you enough room for an air saw blade to chop the bolt off behind the head. Hold the bolt head with vise grips so it won't rotate while sawing the bolt.

I wonder if there is access behind the cowl??
Do the replacement bolt kitd come with those bolts too?

[pfilean]

A bolt kit would not likely come with the cage nut. Sounds like your cage (was spot welded to the body) has allowed the nut to spin within the cage. You probably can't replace in with a like nut. And the slip in style won't work without cutting a slot in the cowl.
But if you find access to the back side in the cowl just reach in with a nut when you tighten the fender bolt. The cage nuts are used at the factory so assembly line worker won't have to waste time reaching in or in some cases he was no access to reach in anyway.

[gassman_67]

I figured "another" loose cage nut....I can't wait to get the ones at the bottom of the firewall. I hope I can get access through the cowl and get a nut on the back when the fender goes back on.

[Joel Koontz]

Might consider using a Nutsert when you reassemble.

[gassman_67]

like a wall anchor...cool idea !!

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by pfilean

The cage nuts are used at the factory so assembly line worker won't have to waste time reaching in or in some cases he was no access to reach in anyway.

...and to accommodate dimensional variation from vehicle to vehicle during the build.

If there was no variation then the "cage" would not be required and just a regular weld nut would be used.

K

[1965gp]

I've had luck angling the bolt when this happens. Perpendicular to the cowl it might spin but at a 45 or 60 deg angle it might not. Should be able to get a good angle after pulling those 3 shims

[gassman_67]

I was able to jam a large flat screwdriver in behind to wedge the cage nut from spinning, and was able to back out the bolt. Perhaps fish out the nut, which I believe didn't drop far, and tack it back in place when I re-install.

[pfilean]

Before you tack anything reread post #11. Keith has a good point.

[gassman_67]

ok...then tack in a cage nut...great points