Trying to install brackets for lower windshield lights. The left side upper screw (pointed by screwdriver) is just spinning. is this just held in by a captive nut? if so, how do I access it?
Lower Windshield Lights
- Thread starter Justin_D
- Start date
If you take out those two bolts, plus the ones on the side, that panel comes off. There are a couple layers in there and the nuts are captured on the back and sandwich them all together. You're going to have to keep disassembling until you're able to get to the back and weld the nut back in place.
If you got the bolt broke lose before the nut popped, you might be able to stick the screwdriver behind the bolt head and pry outwards (careful of the paint...) to keep the nut in place well enough to get the bolt out. If not, you're going to be in trouble. But even if that works, it is going to be a long, slow, pain in the butt process. I'd probably cut the head off the bolt. The panel will come off over the bolt-stub. You're going to really have to be careful of your paint, too.
If you can't get behind it to cut off the head, you might have to get the rest of it loose and try to rotate it far enough out of the way to get a hacksaw blade in behind it, or see if it's possible to grab the nut with some vise grips.
Good luck.
If you got the bolt broke lose before the nut popped, you might be able to stick the screwdriver behind the bolt head and pry outwards (careful of the paint...) to keep the nut in place well enough to get the bolt out. If not, you're going to be in trouble. But even if that works, it is going to be a long, slow, pain in the butt process. I'd probably cut the head off the bolt. The panel will come off over the bolt-stub. You're going to really have to be careful of your paint, too.
If you can't get behind it to cut off the head, you might have to get the rest of it loose and try to rotate it far enough out of the way to get a hacksaw blade in behind it, or see if it's possible to grab the nut with some vise grips.
Good luck.
Thanks for your help, the paint is quite decent on the whole Jeep and I'm trying not to mess it up over a $30 set of lights. I was hoping there was another way that we could access the nut. Thanks again!
WestCoastDan
JK Enthusiast
Honestly, if it were me at this point, I would squirt some black silicone around that screw and push it back in the hole.
Then I'd clean off the excess goo after it dries and figure out how to mount my lights another way.
Then I'd clean off the excess goo after it dries and figure out how to mount my lights another way.
Unfortunately, if you're mounting lights on the A-pillar, those bolts need to come out. When I installed mine, I was not aware nor under the impression there was a captured nut on the back side. Sure didn't feel like it when I removed the bolts and installed the A-pillar bolts that came with the brackets (KC).
If you do scratch the paint the bracket should cover it. I would apply pressure with a screw driver behind the bolt while backing it out as well. Good luck!
Open your hood the whole way and prop it on the windshield. See if that allows you to see and feel behind that panel.