Captive nut woes

[dadrathers]

One of the bolts on the front cross member is reasonably tight but is just spinning - cant' fully tighten nor undo. I have managed to take a look at the captive nut inside the chassis and that is stationary - so I must have stripped the thread - grrr.

What is the best way of getting the bolt out (then I can take the whole thing off and get a new nut welded on)?

Cheers.

[l333]

which bolt is it? have u tried a batt gun on it to see if it will pick up a thread and come out. an sum pics will help us

[Wayne]

http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=119517.0

[Diamond Hell]

One of the bolts on the front cross member is reasonably tight but is just spinning

If it's the front cross member you may be best off sourcing a new bumper and cutting off the current one so you can get in there with a spanner or some molegrips.  Depending on the bolt you might even be able to pull the plastic bumper out of the way and get at it while the bumper's still on there.

The wishbone link's a totally different situation.

[Wayne]

One of the bolts on the front cross member is reasonably tight but is just spinning

If it's the front cross member you may be best off sourcing a new bumper and cutting off the current one so you can get in there with a spanner or some molegrips.  Depending on the bolt you might even be able to pull the plastic bumper out of the way and get at it while the bumper's still on there.

The wishbone link's a totally different situation.

Sorry, misread the 1st post.

[dadrathers]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

Not sure that pics would help - the captive nut is inside the front chassis member?? I haven't tried a batt gun since I don't have one.
I would try and get at it by taking the bumper off but since the nut is still captive and it is the thread that has stripped I am unsure how that might help me?

Is there a general technique for removing bolts with stripped threads e.g driving a screwdriver under the head of the bolt and applying pressure to pull the bolt out whilst rotating with a spanner. That is the only thing I could think of.

Any other ideas welcome. Ta!

[Diamond Hell]

Get a pry bar in the chassis leg and put some pressure on the top of the thread coming out of the captive nut.  You're probably going to need to replace the nut as well as the bolt.