The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Paint and Body Shop Doors Broken Door Hinge Bolts- turning

In removing the doors to the '51 3100, 5 of the 6 driver's door hinge bolts broke in the mounts in the door frame.

I've drilled into them to use an EZ-Out but in trying to remove the broken off bolts they are now spinning. It seems the cage nuts are turning.

Anyone done this repair? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I posted this previously in the Paint and Body decided to expand to this section as well.

Haasman

I think it may be time to consider replacing the inner cowl panel if you don't want to replace the pillar post. Short of that even if you get the bolts out the nuts are turning and useless. And with 5/6 junk you will never get a top quality repair without some surgery. What condition are your inner and outer cowls? If you have to replace them (most are rust prone or holed on original trucks) now may be the time to plan for it if they are coming off you can stop the temporary measures.

Thanks Brad. Remarkably the pillar post- inner and outer cowlings are very very good (old California truck).

I am thinking that if there is no trick to hold the turning nuts on the back sides enabling me to extract the broken off door bolts (that are now drilled), that I will try on cut access holes in the inner panels adjacent to the hinges. If this works I will install threaded inserts to anchor the door bolts.

Does this make sense? I am new to these kind of things and I am learning as I go here.

I appreciate the ideas and support.

Haasman

I know of no way to hold the nuts especially on a 51 without the cowl vent where at least you could reach the top. I think you will need to cut the access holes or replace the panel. Here is a link to some pictures so you can see what things look like in there.
http://community.webshots.com/photo/2727849900102454676OpatES

I had this same issue a while back. Spent hours trying to figure something up. No luck. Im gonna have to cut and replace. Sorry for the bad news.

Thanks for the reply. I gonna start with "access holes" and then if necessary cut access openings that can be covered with a piece of sheet metal.

Haasman

I don't know those year trucks that well. But if you are looking to maintain stock, do your cuts in such a way that it can be patched well. Your best bet is to fab new cages and nuts if some are not available. That means your access hole needs to be big enough to get a welder in there to weld the new cages in.

I ended up using NutSerts. Wow, clever idea. Drilled out the 5 loose/stripped ones and easily installed NutSerts. https://www.rivetnutusa.com/rivnut-rivet-nut/

Good idea. Maybe someone else can benefit from your find. I’ve used rivnuts for various repairs but never on my AD.