'69 wiper door bolt removal

[Graeme B.]

Hi all.I removed my wiper door and the bolts broke in the die-cast.They have a nylon insert in them to stop them from coming loose and this makes them weak. Any ideas for getting the suckers out???Thanks for any tips,Graeme.

[Chuck S.]

Re: '69 wiper door bolt removal

Hi all.I removed my wiper door and the bolts broke in the die-cast.They have a nylon insert in them to stop them from coming loose and this makes them weak. Any ideas for getting the suckers out???Thanks for any tips,Graeme.

Graeme, I don't remember any nylon inserts, only that the bolts that attach the door to the mechanism are shoulder bolts with a small threaded shank that's easily broken.

I think your only option is going to be drilling them out very carefully. It's a tricky process because there is no place the door can be gripped in a vise without possibly damaging the casting, and the holes have to be perpendicular/square to the door ends. Even with care, I expect you will not be able to save the original threads; you're probably better off just drilling oversize and threading the holes for helicoil inserts to get fresh threads.

[Dick W.]

Re: '69 wiper door bolt removal

Old Indian trick. Soak the bolt in penetrating oil of your choice for several days. Purchase a LH drill bit that is somewhat smaller than the bolt. Center punch the broken bolt and use a reversible drill to drill out the bolt. Quite often the LH bit will back the bolt out.

[Graeme B.]

Re: '69 wiper door bolt removal

Thanks Chuck and Dick.I'll try these methods. Its amazing these were my only problem in stripping down the whole car for total resto.Cheers,Graeme from OZ.

[Terry M.]

Re: '69 wiper door bolt removal

Hi all.I removed my wiper door and the bolts broke in the die-cast.They have a nylon insert in them to stop them from coming loose and this makes them weak. Any ideas for getting the suckers out???Thanks for any tips,Graeme.

I think there is a nylon washer there, but I don't remember an insert or bushing.