How to remove/replace bolt

[oyarsa]

The skirting support on one side of our trailer got bent and finally snapped, leaving the skirting flapping around. I got a piece of metal to replace it, but I don't know how to remove the bolt holding on the last bit of the metal.

[mich800]

edit

[opnspaces]

If you already own a vise grip then by all means try to grab the head and twist back and forth to see if you can get it loose. It looks like there is a plastic washer of some sort between the head and the frame. I would try to remove the plastic first.

[Cummins12V98]

EgorKC wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Self drilling screw

Self Drillers need 2000-2500 RPM to properly drill, tap and seat. Also, you need to get the correct drill point for the thickness of steel you are penetrating. The wrong point will either fail or strip out. Drill a hole and through bolt with lock washer and nut is the better option.
Greg

Goes without saying if suggesting a specific product it requires the proper tool to get er dun. Mentioned screw works with under belly in place or not.

I stand by my suggestion.

[EgorKC]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Self drilling screw

Self Drillers need 2000-2500 RPM to properly drill, tap and seat. Also, you need to get the correct drill point for the thickness of steel you are penetrating. The wrong point will either fail or strip out. Drill a hole and through bolt with lock washer and nut is the better option.
Greg

[Cummins12V98]

Self drilling screw

[wa8yxm]

downtheroad wrote:
Thinking that I'd use my Dremmel tool with a cut off wheel.

Looks good to me too. I do agree that looks more like a nail than a bolt (Are there threads on the Pointed part???)

One option is grab head with a vice grip type tool but I doubt that will work.. Cut the shank (on the back side) flush and use a drift to drive it out.. Or drill it out from back side.

in fact the cut it off and drift drive it or drill are my best suggestions.. Drilling power nails may not be easy however they tend to be "High quality" metal.

[fj12ryder]

No reason at all not to use the hole for a replacement bolt/screw. Makes more sense that drilling a new hole.

[oyarsa]

Great help from you all, as usual!

If I'm able to get the original powder nail out, is there any reason I couldn't use the original hole with a screw (self-tapping or otherwise)? The gentleman at the dealership suggested using vice grips to get the nail out, but I don't want to take it out without having some idea to replace it with.

Otherwise, I'll go to Ace and invest in some new tools. I'm sure they can help me find what I need to drill a new hole.

[dodge_guy]

Buy a cutoff wheel/Dremel and cut it off. Then use a self drilling screw.

[RV_daytrader]

CarnationSailor wrote:
Yes, you will need a drill bit for drilling metal and make it a good quality one. Buy a 1/8-inch bit and a self-tapping screw appropriate for the hole (drill) size. The hardware store clerk should be able to help you choose a good drill bit, properly sized screw, and center punch (if you don't have one).

If you doubt your current drill can do the job, buy a good quality cordless drill. You will need it again if you continue to RV.

(You will be drilling from the bottom up.)

Start by using the center punch to mark the place next to the existing mounting point where you are going to drill. Hit the center punch firmly once or twice with a hammer after cutting a small circle out of the coroplast (so you can see the "dimple" made by the center punch). The "dimple" produced by the center punch will keep the drill bit from wandering around when you first start drilling. Drill a hole and attach the bracket with the self-tapping screw.

Good luck!

And wear safety goggles if you are under it drilling up!

[CarnationSailor]

Yes, you will need a drill bit for drilling metal and make it a good quality one. Buy a 1/8-inch bit and a self-tapping screw appropriate for the hole (drill) size. The hardware store clerk should be able to help you choose a good drill bit, properly sized screw, and center punch (if you don't have one).

If you doubt your current drill can do the job, buy a good quality cordless drill. You will need it again if you continue to RV.

(You will be drilling from the bottom up.)

Start by using the center punch to mark the place next to the existing mounting point where you are going to drill. Hit the center punch firmly once or twice with a hammer after cutting a small circle out of the coroplast (so you can see the "dimple" made by the center punch). The "dimple" produced by the center punch will keep the drill bit from wandering around when you first start drilling. Drill a hole and attach the bracket with the self-tapping screw.

Good luck!

[D_E_Bishop]

Assuming you're not a newly wed and have some disposable income, try using the tool you have drill a hole next to the nail and put a screw and nut in place. Don't mess with the old one, leave it there. Just remember in the RV world, things brake more often than in the S&B world and eventually you will need to make more repairs.

My Thought For The Day

I'm 79 years old and yes I have accumulated stuff over the years, including the practice of buying better tools and making repairs that last. I still have a set of box end wrenches my DW bought for me about two years after we married. We were poor at that time, entry level job and educated at sea, no college. She Bought a Good set of wrenches and I still have them. I no longer rebuild an engine or do heavy work but I still try and repair what I can. I have now started passing these tools on to the maintenance guy at a BSA Camp, my grandson, and granddaughter's husband. Like marriage, good choices last a long time.

[PartyOf_Five]

It's a good time to test yourself: how perfect do you want the trailer to stay, how hard are you willing to work/ how much are you willing to pay to keep it that way, how much can you appreciate how these are built and yet still go down the road for decades (vs so many cheap cars that die in a few years), how much advice to take in lol, etc.
I've learned a lot about myself, and DW, in the last few years- and how resourceful this forum is.

[Grit_dog]

If you literally have nothing else at your disposal, get some vice grips, clamp onto the nail head and twist it until it breaks, or drive it in flush, or break it off with a cold chisel or hammer claw or hack saw it off or snap it with dikes or fence pliers or....just be a little resourceful.
You need a drill/ bit self tapper screws to fasten the new piece of tin to the frame. Or drill/rivet or something.

Seriously, this is a good start to learning how to fix little stuff that someone else will charge you a bunch of money for.
Ask a neighbor, friend, co worker, someone. You can do this pretty easy.