FiatDucato lunar new star

[Garyg]

.Hello all,anybody else had the same problem.I,ve got a very low mileage fiat ducato 2.8 d .Went to fit a new front cross member and radiator.Only to find the 3 O/S bolts which bolt into the chassis were stiff to undo.Lol and behold the welded nuts were that rusted they sheared off from the chassis and just turned with the bolts.You can’t getat them to free them .It looks like I need the cross member cut off and a new plate,with nuts welded back on in place.Any ideas.?

 

[MisterB]

Long job but could you drill out the bolts from the top if neccessary?? Or possibly use a lot of heat to expand and contract and then use a stud remover. I would try a few methods before resorting to cutting and rewelding ...

 

[MisterB]

Another thought, could you cut off the head of the bolts and knock the bolts thiugh? If the bolts are tightened into captive nuts which have become 'unweldec' then they might not be threaded into the member and uf you cut off the heads of the bolt you might be able to knock them down and out?

 

[Garyg]

Many thanks
I will try and get a long socket inside ,and try and undo the nuts .
I will let you know how i get on .
Gary

 

[MisterB]

Have you looked on yutube? Im sure ive seen a fiat ducato cross member being replaced. It might not help if the nuts havent rusted if course but it might be worth checking it out?

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[Garyg]

Latest news.
I cut the bolts off,cut 1 inch out of the front chassis panel below the bumper thread hole.Took the bolt n nuts out cleaned the chassis box section.Then applied a coating of rust sealant then Hammerite paint .
Fitted a new radiator,Then rebolted it all back together.
Wax oiled the entire front section and engine bay .
Job done .

 

[MisterB]

Great news. Really pleased you got it sortef. Did you take photos to show how you did it?