broken bumper accordion bolts... Ideas? see followup for fix

[JackBennett]

I'm hoping Esty has dealt with this and will chime in... When I took off my accordions to remove the big bumper I twisted the bolts clean off on one side of the car. at this point I don't want to hassle with getting a new one before I drive out to the peninsula this xmas and so I'm wondering if anyone has "fixed" this problem before. Drill out the old stud and use a coarse self tapping screw? Say eff it and try to find a good local one to pick up? As always, Thanks in advance... and merry, happy, joyous, whatever.

[Napes]

In years past I've used the method you suggest of drilling out the old stud and using a large, self-tapping screw and it worked fairly well. Don't remember them working loose, or, causing any problems. Good luck.

Bob Napier

[bobthomas]

Seems I've seen a fix for this from Mike in Beavercreek. Don't remember if it was here or in Roundel.

[JackBennett]

I searched until my eyes were sore and actually was surprised to find nothing at all. If anyone has the link I'd appreciate it.

[esty]

hey jack....you guys give me too much credit for DYI fixes....heloise, i'm not...but i digress...i've only dealt with big bumpers once, that was to remove them from my 76...and i broke 2 of those rusty buggers off removing them...i replaced the big bumpers with chrome so i didn't have to deal with the broken bolt dilemma

sounds like you got some good ideas though....use stainless screws....good luck

[JackBennett]

Follow up... since this has to be a common problem I'll give you what I found and what I did.

So I cut into the rubber from the back to expose the studs and found that they were actually carriage bolts through a metal plate inside the rubber. A careful butterfly cut of the rubber and the plate and bolts came right out. I got new stainless carriage bolts, put it all back together and glued the rubber back over the top. It is drying now but it should work perfectly. The pressure of the rubber holds the plate very firmly and when the glue dries it should be rock solid and good as new. Hope this helps someone....

[Napes]

Thanks for the good tips.

Bob Napier

[scoyote]

That's exactly how to fix the problem of broken studs---I've fixed all kinds that way. i used 1/4 galv. carriage bolts and cleaned the plates up--then used black rtv and with a tidy bit of surgery yo can hardly notice the incision. Rears do present more of a problem but studs can be rtv 'd into place---scoyote

[JackBennett]

Seemed pretty simple to me too but in case someone like me is searching the archives later on, hopefully they will stumble upon this. I couldn't find anything about it.