Spinning Antenna Mount Bolt

[dao]

So, today, I was tired of banging my head on my M1009's antenna mounts so I started loosening the bolts. Wouldn't you know it. Most bolts came right out, but I have maybe three where the nut in the truck side is spinning. See image below. I really don't want to cut the bolts and drill. Any ideas that won't muck up the paint? I've attempted soaking in Aerokroil. The nut itself moves very freely so it is really tough coaxing the bolt out.

 

[cucvrus]

Drill it out and refinish the surface and install a new one.

 

[M813rc]

If it's the ones behind the doors, you can actually reach up from below inside the panel and get at the interior nuts. I managed it on both sides. I admit that it was not a quick and easy job, and entailed some off-colour language, but it did work.

Cheers

 

[dao]

Drilling may be required...as I already mentioned in my post. The mounts are on the rear of the M1009. The nuts are not available to grab on the other side before someone suggests that.

 

[Drock]

I'd tack weld it to the body.

 

[dao]

A tack weld might be the best solution. Trying to drill something that spins freely probably isn't going to work.

 

[cucvrus]

I drilled mine out and welded the holes shut on several CUCV's I was repainting. It always looked nice in my eye with not holes. Except a few bullet holes. I have replaced the riv-nuts for a few customers also. I have no use for the tree catchers. If you need some new ones I have them.

 

[ODFever]

Could you wedge a screwdriver between the mount and the body and push the antenna mount out? A little pressure might give you a bit more bite on the threads inside the riv nuts.

 

[cucvrus]

He is wanting no surface marring. Not sure that can happen. That is rusted tight at this point. Any attempts will mar the surface.

 

[dao]

Thanks for the replies. Great minds think alike. I tried wedging a large flathead in there to apply pressure. No luck. What do those darn nuts look like behind the sheet metal? I suspect there's a lip and larger surface behind it...so I don't see it just popping out, but I could be wrong. And yes, I'm looking to not bugger up the surface too much. Ideally, I'd like to close the hole and paint over it. I'm sure many others have removed these darn things and closed the holes. I have no need for the mounts.

 

[cucvrus]

They at just soft light duty riv-nuts that expand with pressure. Not much holding them on there. One good yank and it will be off.

 

[dao]

Ok...a new term I had not heard before..."riv-nuts." Enpowered with a new term, I performed a search and found this: https://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?36462-Jack-nut-removal

That thread has some good pictures of the pesky little critters! I will give them a solid yank, then put something in there temp until I can fill them properly and paint over. Thanks cucvrus for the "riv-nuts."

 

[snowtrac nome]

go to your napa dealer ask to look for jack nuts used for mirror mounting you will see what they look like likely your only option will be grind the bolt head off than grind out the jack nut and replace it with a new one

 

[cucvrus]

Or use a 1/2" black plastic snap plug like GM uses in the door frame. Always looks good. Less work till you are ready for paint.

 

[mutt1966]

I had this problem when I first bought mine, soak it with a 50-50 solution of ATF and Acetone and took of Small Needle Nose Vice Grips to hold it and used my air ratchet came right out.... Scott O&O

 

[dao]

I'm not sure y'all understand. I don't intend to replace them. I want the mounts gone and holes gone. I have no desire to have antenna mounts sticking off my truck nor holes in the side.

 

[Drock]

Just tack weld the side of the nut, let it sit for 15 seconds so the nut can heat up, (that will loosen the bolt), then undo the bolt. Drill out the nut flange, grind the tack off. Now your ready to weld the hole up, I like to use a washer that fits in the hole and 0.25 wire

 

[dao]

Okay, I know what to do with it now...done. Thanks all.

 

[Mainsail]

I would take an angle grinder and grind the head off, then remove the bracket and yank the remaining bolt and rivnut straight out with vice grips.