Wiper Pivot Bolt Help - Double Dog Dooky

[pincheweddo]

Got down to the last frickin thing in the cab an snap! Passenger side pivot bolt broke. The inner panel is rusted out around it and the outer support that the nut is welded to seems to be intact. I am sure that I am not the only one who has run into this and I don't need to explain that a drill doesn't fit on the inside or out. My only guess is to bore it out with a dremel and mig weld in a replacement. Not 100% certain that will work. So do my Ford brothers and sisters have any ideas?

[72BahamaBlue]

Ouch! Mine were similar, I spent a couple days getting 1 bolt free, but got lucky...it sure put up a fight.
Interesting, the gasket under the pivot is leather!
Can you Dremel the stud flat, and use a right angle attachment on your drill motor and drill it out? If the threads will clean up, you're good.
I made gaskets out of black ABS plastic, glued them on with 3M marine sealant.
Would this help?
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth ... 92188.html

[pincheweddo]

Ouch! Mine were similar, I spent a couple days getting 1 bolt free, but got lucky...it sure put up a fight.
Interesting, the gasket under the pivot is leather!
Can you Dremel the stud flat, and use a right angle attachment on your drill motor and drill it out? If the threads will clean up, you're good.
I made gaskets out of black ABS plastic, glued them on with 3M marine sealant.
Would this help?
http://www.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth ... 92188.html

Sweet! I though about that for half a second but I hadn't seen one in a while. Just what my garage needs, one more tool.

[Art]

Got down to the last frickin thing in the cab an snap! Passenger side pivot bolt broke. The inner panel is rusted out around it and the outer support that the nut is welded to seems to be intact. I am sure that I am not the only one who has run into this and I don't need to explain that a drill doesn't fit on the inside or out. My only guess is to bore it out with a dremel and mig weld in a replacement. Not 100% certain that will work. So do my Ford brothers and sisters have any ideas?


[ Image ]

Place a bigger nut (like a 3/8-16 nut) over the broken end of the screw and weld the two together. My weld process preference for this job would be oxy-acetylene welding.

The intense localized heat from welding will loosen the screw threads and the nut will provide a means to turn it out. If the welded nut snaps off, just weld another on. Once the screw begins to turn, proceed slowly and cautiously as there may be rusty threads that need to pass through the original threaded nut. You probably will need to reverse directions many times and use plenty of lube on both sides of that cowl panel.

[pincheweddo]

Got down to the last frickin thing in the cab an snap! Passenger side pivot bolt broke. The inner panel is rusted out around it and the outer support that the nut is welded to seems to be intact. I am sure that I am not the only one who has run into this and I don't need to explain that a drill doesn't fit on the inside or out. My only guess is to bore it out with a dremel and mig weld in a replacement. Not 100% certain that will work. So do my Ford brothers and sisters have any ideas?


[ Image ]

Place a bigger nut (like a 3/8-16 nut) over the broken end of the screw and weld the two together. My weld process preference for this job would be oxy-acetylene welding.

The intense localized heat from welding will loosen the screw threads and the nut will provide a means to turn it out. If the welded nut snaps off, just weld another on. Once the screw begins to turn, proceed slowly and cautiously as there may be rusty threads that need to pass through the original threaded nut. You probably will need to reverse directions many times and use plenty of lube on both sides of that cowl panel.

Damn Genius! I thought about welding a bolt to it but not a nut! Wiley Coyote Super Genius is among us.

[cep62]

Place a bigger nut (like a 3/8-16 nut) over the broken end of the screw and weld the two together. My weld process preference for this job would be oxy-acetylene welding.

But I think a mig welder might be easier , because you have to hold the nut and weld it.
and if you're under the dash an open flame can be tricky.

Or maybe two bolts will hold it and silicone the gasket to seal it because you won't have the extra bolt.

[pincheweddo]

Place a bigger nut (like a 3/8-16 nut) over the broken end of the screw and weld the two together. My weld process preference for this job would be oxy-acetylene welding.

But I think a mig welder might be easier , because you have to hold the nut and weld it.
and if you're under the dash an open flame can be tricky.

Or maybe two bolts will hold it and silicone the gasket to seal it because you won't have the extra bolt.

I gots me a mig! The nut idea is going to get a try.

[Art]

I think it might be harder in this job to get good heat penetration with a mig.

I prefer oxy-acetylene for this job as it is super easy for me to see and control the weld puddle.

If you don't have a helper to hold a nut up there while welding, just build up the broken off screw enough to grab it with a vice-grips.

When cranking it out, go easy, reverse often, and use plenty of lube. Don't take these words out of context either

Good luck.

[pincheweddo]

When cranking it out, go easy, reverse often, and use plenty of lube.

I did. And that sound all kinds of wrong.

[pincheweddo]

And the winner is...

Art in Wisconsin! Thanks for the nut idea. The mig did a great job and the bolt slipped right out. I owe you 1 beer. (insert beer smiley here)