So i went to install my new rear suspension and the bolts are spinning. The best way to get to them is you drill a small hole in the body under the seat right? If so where exactly should i drill and what size bit? I want to minimize the amount of destruction but get these stubborn bolts off!

If you are talking about the three pocket bolts for the front leaf springs the jnuts are broke. Grind/cut off the heads and replace with new clip nuts. Do a search on this. There is a ton of info regarding it. I had this happen to my 69 when I did my rear suspension upgrade this winter. I was lucky in that I had only one that was broken but it was the last one. Make sure you replace with good quality clip nuts(CIP). No drilling needed in the body.

Check the sticky up top here for alotta info on this!

pdq67

i am having the same problem

Fwiw, my cheap, HFT, 4.5" angle grinder made short work of them!!

BUT work SAFE here!!

pdq67

I know about the J nuts but thats what's spinning. I would like to know where i need to cut to get to these nuts so that i can make the smallest hole possible I figured many people have had this problem before so any guidance is greatly appreciated!

The factory weld on the nut on the clip is broke. Therefore the bolt just spins. Nothing is holding the nut stationary. Cut the heads off of the bolts. Pop out the bolt, remove the clip and then remove the cut off bolt and nut. You might need a magnet or wire to fish them out. Or you might be able to reach them with your fingers. Look at the sticky that pdq stated earlier. You will see how easily it would be for an old rusty nut to break off a clip and just spin. But definitley replace them with quality clips. No need for drilling any holes.

The best recommendation is the above, grind the bolt heads off. No drilling inside that way.

That is the way I did it. Use an angle grinder as pdq67 suggested. It worked great!!

Kyle,

Ditto to what everyone else is saying. I recently replaced my rear leaf springs and as you discovered, you can't see the end of the bolt from the floorpan side. DO NOT drill or cut into your floor pan. Go out and buy a $30 grinder from a hardware store and just grind the head(s) off the bolt. Drilling is going to cause you more trouble than it's worth. Once you grind the head of the bolt off, you'll see a slot you can use a magnetic pen to pull from the slot.... it's that easy.

Ditto also to the J-nut CIP clips. I bought a set from Rick's First Generation and after looking at them side by side.... you can definitely see the difference in quality.

Fwiw, I have at least three $10 to $15 FHT type 4.5" angle grinders in my garage!! Two should be NEW!!

Heck, they are cheap enough to pitch when the time come's, just like their $10 air chisel sets!! I have a new spare!!

pdq67

I just did my rear suspension about 3 months ago. I even knew ahead of time about the spinning nut problem. All but the the last one came out fine, wouldn't you know! Following the info here I got it fixed fine...

Every camaro resto guy should experience a spinning nut problem at least once...;)

Too funny macmillan.... same goes for me.... it was just one of them on my drivers side.... I was hoping it wasn't going to happen to me, but I guess after 38 years, one has to expect it.....

Too funny macmillan.... same goes for me.... it was just one of them on my drivers side.... I was hoping it wasn't going to happen to me, but I guess after 38 years, one has to expect it.....

Ditto for me!

Hey thanks guys i'm off to the garage to finally get this done! Thanks Again!

All 6 of mine broke!!

Not fun at all..

pdq67

Just in from the Garage... Wanted to make sure i had the right idea. Seems i do.

Thanks for the info as always.

PDQ, i feel your pain, i'm in the same boat! 6 of 'em!

Bolt choppin' time i guess.

Grabbing a beer on my way back to the garage..... :beers:

Lead.