Hello again. Another curse-laden adventure with this thing.

Need to replace fuel pump sender... so new pump while I'm at it.

Problem: The rear captive / welded nut for the rear fuel tank strap (inside frame crossmember) broke loose and now spins merrily around with maybe 1/8" or so of thread left (based on comparison to front bolt).

I have the tool bins & rubber mat flooring... which is secured on both sides BENEATH the tool bins.

I'm thinking to drill pilot holes from beneath & then use a hole saw to open up above that loose weld nut. Anyone know a better way to do this before I put a hole-saw on the drill and imagine Mr. Goodwrench's skull underneath as I open up the floor?

(I am not going to remove the tool bins just to flip the rubber back... but I also don't want to destroy the matting as it's crucial for sliding materials in & out without damage. If I didn't have the rubber matting I would have just cut a hole in the floorboard & replaced the pump that way.)

 

Can you stick a flat blade screw driver on one side to hold it while you unscrew it?

 

Good idea and actually tried that but not enough room for leverage against the small amount of nut visible.

It wasn't actually a welded nut but one of those stupid 'clip on' 'blind-nuts'... a nut with a sheet metal clip that lets you slip it into a blind hole and the clip holds it in place for assembly when you can't get a wrench to the back side. It was made to speed things up on the assembly line... but not being strong enough for disassembly was the problem.

I ended up taking a reciprocal saw & just cutting the bolt off. I got very, very, VERY lucky to have a similar clip-on nut from an old Ford I had in the 90's (yeah - I have buckets of crap...) Not the same design but also had a bolt with matching threads that was long enough. After that - it was pretty much like any other job where you needed a lift but have to make do in the driveway. Didn't totally disconnect the tank - just dropped the back end down to the ground & supported the front so that there was still slack in any hoses etc.


I'm sure the neighbor kids learned a whole new set of adjectives for school tomorrow...

Thanks for the response.

 

Found the actual replacement parts if you bust that damned captive nut & have to cut the bolt off like I did. It's a Dorman part & can be found at most local auto parts in their "HELP!" parts area.


Dorman Help Fuel Tank Strap Hardware Kit #55157

It's this set : http://amzn.to/2qkOSzF