Can't Remove Front Facia

[SYNFULL]

Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Hi,
I would like to remove my front facia to do some work on the car. The problem is the bolts in the wheelwell. Almost all of the just spin. I guess the nut on the inside is turning with them. I have tried reching my hand inside to try to hold the nut but I can't reach. Is there any way to do this without grinding the bolts off?

Thanks
Gary

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[hemibeep]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

try to turn the wheel, pop the 5-6" rubber plug from inner well, and then reach in with vice grips.

also, sometimes use a penetrating lube, then spin out at a faster speed, i.e. drill or air wrench.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Thanks,
I don't think there is any way to reach the top bolt from there but i will try.
Gary

 

[Supercharged Vipermad]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Thanks,
I don't think there is any way to reach the top bolt from there but i will try.
Gary

There is...maybe. Bottom the that portion of the fascia there is (at least there WAS on my stock 97 fascia) a small section with a rubber lip on it. It sort of covered a small gap between the bottom of the fascia and the outer edge. If you get under the nose, at that corner, you should see it.....once removed you might be able to get your arm up in there.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Tony,
I tried that- my arm won't fit. maybe one of my kids will help

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Try taking a flat head screw dirver and slide the blade of the head under the head of the bolt and push outward while unscrewing it off...or you could use a blade of a knife to do it. Sometimes the screw are rusted from water.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

ab-
I will give that a try!

thanks everyone for your help

 

[Big Medicine]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

They are screws.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

I have tried everything and can't get them out. What about grinding or cutting the head of the nut off. Has anyone replaced these retainers? Seveal of mine just spin. If I can replace them I think I will just cut them off.
Thanks
Gary

 

[hemibeep]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

The threaded inserts that are spinning are similar to a hollow wall anchor. Perhaps like a rivet nut. If you can find them (not sure) and have the tool to compress the nut they can be replaced. Carefull if you are going to cut them off, too much heat can burn/melt the facia/support.

 

[Qualitywires.com]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Can you get access to a lift and pull the small access plate off from the bottom of the fascia off and use a strong pair of needle nose pliers to hold the rivet nut in place and then unscrew the 8mm screw?

 

[Andrew/USPWR]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

I had one rust one me and not knowing it I ended up tearing the plastic.

I'd cut them off maybe using a dremel. Careful, use eye protection.

Good luck





2005 Silver SRT/10
2000 Steel Gray GTS (sold)

 

[WOT!]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

You might try drilling. Like rivets. You can use a wrench to keep it from spinning. Should be less heat.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

I have tried with a long pair of needlenose but there is no way to reach the top 2. I tried using screwdrivers, chisels, prying tools etc. to pry on the washer behind the screw while I am trying to remove the screw but the screw just turns.
I can cut them off with a dremel, but what would I replace them with? Chuck Tator say's they aren't available from Dodge, and it looks like I would need a special "rivet" type tool to set them in place.
Has anyone replaced these before?

Thanks
Gary

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

I remember reading a how to article by Jerry Scott. Is this the tool that I need to replace the ones that are spinning in my facia if I cut them off?
http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Search?catalogId=10101&storeId=10101&sku=81ZZ5310P&searchbtn.x=11&searchbtn.y=23

Thanks
Gary

 

[VIPER BAZ UK]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Thats the tool i used to replace all the self tappers on my viper..
Great bit of kit ....

 

[hemibeep]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

I bought a rivet nut kit from harbor freight.
1. the aluminum rivet nuts aren't very strong.
2. I couldn't find metric threads, so a bolt change was also needed.
3. you need a tight fit to avoid, the "spin" for next time.

It will work and I used these as well for the plastic push in trees on front bumper reinforcement. I also switched to allen head bolts with washers for front bumper attachment. I have already used these once, and what a time saver.

 

[SYNFULL]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

Now this is strange- I found what looks like the same kit on shop.com that say's it is from jc penney - for 12.99. At jc penney's site it is $90.

http://www.shop.com/op/~RIVET_NUT_AND_THREAD_SERT_TOOL_KITS-prod-24846324

Nevermind- now I see the difference
1 is 25 piece aluminum the other 65 piece steel

 

[hemibeep]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

That $12.99 must be a mistake, buy it fast before they know.....this is like the one I have, works great, but you can actually overpower the threads, it takes a few tries, ans less force then a rivet.

 

[pescadito]

Re: Can\'t Remove Front Facia

This happend to me too but I just had only one screw spin on me.

The way I got the bolt out was to tighten it with a ratchet to compress the rivet nut then poped it off with an air ratched. The bolt instantly came loose.

Be careful not to tight too much or you will damage the facia.