Awning replacement locking knobs?

Both of the locking knobs on my MH were frozen up so I followed the instructions from other posts here and cut them off, used CRC on them and removed the old studs. When I got them out, I found that the nutswere stripped and needed to be replaced as well but can't find info anywhere on how to get the old nut out and the new one in. The nut falls to the bottom but I can't get it out because of the latching assembly at the bottom of the support arm. Suggestions?