having trouble getting access to the nuts for the rear bumper on my 69 camaro. can't seem to get anything to reach the nut on the inside. cannot get a socket with a 1/2 in drive to fit in the gap. anybody have the same issue

having trouble getting access to the nuts for the rear bumper on my 69 camaro. can't seem to get anything to reach the nut on the inside. cannot get a socket with a 1/2 in drive to fit in the gap. anybody have the same issue

I think the "nut or nuts" that you are talking about are welded to the bumper bracket and are not removeable. The bumper is bolted on from the inside of the trunk.

The bumper is bolted to brackets that are bolted thru the trunk. If you remove the bolts in the trunk first then the bumper comes off and you have easy access to the bumper bolts.

There is one bolt on each end, two vertical bolts between the rear trumk support gussets, two more toward the center and then two on the outside that hold the little bumperetts on the bottom of the rear panel.

TTFN
Mat

The bumper is bolted to brackets that are bolted thru the trunk. If you remove the bolts in the trunk first then the bumper comes off and you have easy access to the bumper bolts.

There is one bolt on each end, two vertical bolts between the rear trumk support gussets, two more toward the center and then two on the outside that hold the little bumperetts on the bottom of the rear panel.

TTFN
Mat

My bad. I thought he was referring to the end of the bumper bracket where it mounts to the body and not the end of the bracket where the bumper mounts to the bracket.

any idea to loosen the nuts, i cen reach them with my finge but just cant get enoug grip to loosen them, also tried a variety of wrenches

sorry about the spelling, working on too many projects at the same time

any idea to loosen the nuts, i cen reach them with my finge but just cant get enoug grip to loosen them, also tried a variety of wrenches

I would do what Matt suggested below.......................


The bumper is bolted to brackets that are bolted thru the trunk. If you remove the bolts in the trunk first then the bumper comes off and you have easy access to the bumper bolts.

There is one bolt on each end, two vertical bolts between the rear trumk support gussets, two more toward the center and then two on the outside that hold the little bumperetts on the bottom of the rear panel.

TTFN
Mat

If you're removing a junk bumper with intentions of replacing it I would just use a cutoff wheel and cut the heads off the bumper bolts. This way you don't risk damaging the brackets which I assume will be reused. If not now is a great time to add to your "special tools" drawer by heating & bending a cheap wrench to fit into the spot you're trying to get to. After 30+ years of being a mechanic for a living my "special tools" won't all fit in one drawer...

great, thanks for the info

I have a specialty wrench from Cornwell. It has an open end with a swivel socket on the opposite end. It will reach the nuts you are referring to. When installing a bumper you need to leave all nuts finger tight to install then tighten for adjustment.

If the bolts are fairly rusty, be prepared to have the 'nut' end of the bolt snap off. When I replaced the rear bumper on my 67, I was able to get only two bolts to come off without breaking in half.

Man brings back memories...those bolts had me stuffed....
till the missus came out to see what all the swearing was about then carmly suggested looking in the trunk!!!!

Just hate that...
Once off the car then soak and attack the bracket bolts with heaps of room to play
Heaps of CRC for a day or so.