Engine Cradle bolt Stripped. Speed nut Spinning in Frame. How to remove? 93 Cutlass

[Petes93cutlass]

I have a 1993 Cutlass convertible. I took the car in to get the front and rear tires aligned. In order to get the front tires aligned, the engine cradle had to be loosen slightly and shifted over a hair. Now when we were loosing the engine cradle bolts we were going forward and reverse to ease the bolt out. The passenger rear engine cradle bolt started to come out easy and then the large bushing washer fell apart due to being rusted out. Upon trying to replace the washer, the bolt just started spinning which means the speed or weld nut broke free. Therefore, I can't get the bolt out. Does any have any info as to how to get this bolt out and replaced? Is there an access panel which I don't see or do you cut into the frame or do you pull out out the interior carpet? If you had this happen, let me know how you got the bolt out? The more details the better. Thanks

[White93z34]

In front of it there should be a plastic plug in the chassis, pop that out and you might be able to see it. Its been a long time though...

 

you can sorta see what i'm talking about in this picture...

 

not sure how much help that is though....

 

and you can see them here as well:

 

When the transmission was replaced in my TGP the shop had something similar happen to one of the captive nuts in the chassis for the cradle, it was a front one though. he just busted it loose of its "cage" thing holding it in place and welded a nut to a piece of steel that was wide enough to not spin in the rail, works good.

[Petes93cutlass]

I see the so-called access covers but when the cradle is in the car and with the rack steering in the way, you really can't access anything let alone see inside.

[mikedunbar]

It's no picnic, according to the manual for the 96 w-body, anyway.

 

The manual says to cut a hole in the floor, inside the car. Then break the spot welds on the cage nut retainer on one side so you can get to the cage nut. then weld the retainer back on, so it works, of course, weld up the hole in the floor, and replace the carpet, seats, and console.

 

I can send you a scan of the procedure, with some pictures, if you like. just pm

[Crazy K]

I broke a rear bolt. Here is what I did. I pulled the carpet back, and cut a three sided hole with a cut off disc (wear eye protection!!!) and bent the flap I made up and out of the way. I was able to remove the cage and captive nut by jacking the car up with a bolt jambed into the hole such that the weight of the car broke the cage's spot welds. You have an issue in that you will probably have to cut the bolt head off and destroy the mount completely first, so that it can be forced up.

I used a nut on a piece of junk plate metal that was just right and had a hole in it... probably came from a junk engine bracket. You can also go to a j.y and just get the proper nut with a little work...

When i was finished, I bent the flap closed and sealed it with RTV. I them added a small piece of plastic that was also coated with RTV so that if the flap ever moved it would still be sealed.