I've got all my suspension/frame parts powdercoated and now I'm doing the assembly. I got the a-arms, springs, tie rods bolted up, and realized I forgot to do the motor mount towers while the a-arms were out. Does anyone have a trick for getting the washers (lock and flat) and nuts up inside the frame and onto the bolts without dropping them inside the frame crossmember. I believe the bolts are supposed to be installed through the top with the nuts on the underside but these little access holes they give you to get in there are ridiculous. Any ideas? Thanks!

YES, been there, done that..

You crawl ALL the way under it and use a little-bitty, 1/4 tool string on the inside from the bottom and a, (I think), 9/16" boxend wrench up top AND just take your time.

This held up my car for years b/c I flat couldn't see how to access the hardware much less how to do it, but the guy's here gave me the courage to start it and even tho the drivers side took my about 1-1/2 hours, the pass. side took me like 20 minutes!!

You have to stick the 1/4" tool string up through the S/F over by the vertical under the top bolts and down by the lower A-arm hole for the bottom one AND work slow and easy..

1/4" ratchet, 1/4" x 2" extension, 1/4" to 3/8" adapter and finally a 9/16" short twelve point socket if I remember right??

BOY was I prouda myself after I got this little pain in the --- done!!!

pdq67

I simply sprayed some permatex gasket adhesive on 1 side of each hex lock nut and washer and let them set up for a few minutes. Then slid the washer with the sticky towards the nut sticky on the bolt. Started the nut to align the Nut and washer. Removed the Sticking nut and washer from the bolt, Slid the bolt down through the Motor mount hole, set the nut/washer in a socket, slid-em up through the frame and tightened. Worked like a charm.

What's a 1/4 tool string?

Thanks guys! I think my problem is that I'm using one extra washer (flat washer) between the lock washer and the frame, so I have three pieces I have to juggle in the small amount of access space. I don't know if I should bag the flat washer or not, but all of the bolts on the rest of the frame I have backed with a flat washer.

pdq67 - I'm with Dave on this one, what is a tool string?

Camsdad - I tried a variation of that with clear silicone grease that is sticky, but doesn't set up like silicone, and they still fell off. I was trying to stay away from discoloring the hardware and using something that would wash off because I bought all gold iridite stuff for detail, but maybe I'll use clear silicone and let it set up.

Thanks again!

How about electrical tape? I usually use a deep socket and tape the washers, etc so they can't fall off. Once the nut catches I just pull off the socket with the tape and tighten. I also have to put a couple of nuts inside the deep socket to get the nut that I want to put on high enough in the socket to catch. I dunno....works for me anyway...

Just a piece of string, to keep it all together...fishing line or whatever.

Drop the string thru the hole til you can reach it from the bottom, pull it thru a foot or 2, tie the top to something so it doesn't get loose. Drop the bolt thru the hole. Thread the flat washer, lock washer, nut, and socket on the string, then snap the socket (with the string hanging out) onto the extension. Then have someone pull the string from the top while you push the socket up to the bolt. Wiggle it around till the washers go on the bolt and you can start the threads. Once it's started, pull the string out!

Use some black gasket sealant.Just went through this take the sealant but the flat washer and lock washer together then put the bolt in the hole put the sealer on the tip of your finger wait a few minutes and install the washers onto the bolt they will stay do the same for the nut a little dab and go.Work for me well.

I used the wrong term when I used the term "tool string" is all..

A "tool string" to me is a ratchet, an extension an adapter and a socket is all..... And maybe throw in a wobble-joint too...

I described what I used so please go from there and the idea with the string and nut/washer isn't all that bad either! It falls right in with the "sticky" way of doing it..

What I was trying to say more then anything is that it will take you a long time to do the first side, but once you do the first one, the other side will be a "piece a cake" b/c you will konw how to do it by then is all!!

pdq67