The Ford Barn

Ed Saniewski · 09-06-2015, 06:59 AM

A friend of mine has stripped threads in both of the rear spring u bolts. He wants to cut a hole in the rumble seat pan to access them for replacement. Is the rear seat pan welded to the sub frame, or can it be unbolted somehow. In my 160-B sedan it is only covered with seat upholstery. I don't think he wants to unbolt the body and lift. Any ideas? Thanks Ed S.

Jeff M · 08-20-2017, 11:12 PM

Digging up an old thread, same issue in my rumble seat coupe. What's the process?

Jeff M · 08-22-2017, 11:03 AM

Any insight on this? How are the reproduction bolts?

Bob from Northport · 08-22-2017, 11:23 AM

The rear seat pan under the rumble area is riveted in. It does not unbolt and come out. But it is riveted to the body, not the frame. I have found some welded, but believe it should only have rivets that would need to be drilled out.

Jeff M · 08-22-2017, 12:07 PM

Thanks for the reply, I think mine was a converted car so it's bolted in. Is the seat pan the only thing that needs to be removed if that's the case? No trunk lid, etc.?

30Ford · 08-22-2017, 01:12 PM

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There is a tool that taper cuts the first few threads and gives you a new start

Jeff M · 08-22-2017, 01:24 PM

Mine are bent as well.

larrys40 · 08-22-2017, 01:43 PM

Ed,
As Bob said the pan was originally riveted on. You would have to grind off the rivit preferably on the bottom side. Not a fun job upside down. Then punch them out and probably re-rivit with pop rivits when putting it back.

I have a sport coupe in the shop right now. I will take a look at it for clearance, but I think removing the pan is the best way. I wouldn't undo the body and disturb rear fenders, body mounts, hood, etc. It would be counter productive.

If there's enough clearance to put a wedge up between the pan and center of the crossmember it my be enough room to wiggle it up and out. Usually not but some have a little more clearance than others.

Larry Shepard

BILL WILLIAMSON · 08-23-2017, 09:24 AM

IF you cut a hole, save the old piece, to WELD back in!
Gregg threw away the piece I sawed out, when I put the exhaust heater in Minerva!! (DRAT IT!) Those firewalls are TOUGH, I spent $17.00 for a QUALITY Hole Saw, that would cut it! (I burned up 2 cheep ones, first!)
Bill Drafty

glenn in camino · 08-23-2017, 07:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Saniewski

A friend of mine has stripped threads in both of the rear spring u bolts. He wants to cut a hole in the rumble seat pan to access them for replacement. Is the rear seat pan welded to the sub frame, or can it be unbolted somehow. In my 160-B sedan it is only covered with seat upholstery. I don't think he wants to unbolt the body and lift. Any ideas? Thanks Ed S.

On all the Model As I've ever had, the Ubolt nuts are on the bottom and easy to get at.

Jeff M · 08-23-2017, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by glenn in camino

On all the Model As I've ever had, the Ubolt nuts are on the bottom and easy to get at.

He was talking about replacing the U bolts not the nuts.

09-06-2015, 06:59 AM	#1
Ed Saniewski Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Denville NJ Posts: 964	exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe A friend of mine has stripped threads in both of the rear spring u bolts. He wants to cut a hole in the rumble seat pan to access them for replacement. Is the rear seat pan welded to the sub frame, or can it be unbolted somehow. In my 160-B sedan it is only covered with seat upholstery. I don't think he wants to unbolt the body and lift. Any ideas? Thanks Ed S. __________________ Model A Ford Club of New Jersey http://www.mafcnj.org Model A Pick Up Owners and Enthusiasts https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/group.php?groupid=5

08-20-2017, 11:12 PM	#2
Jeff M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: CA Posts: 104	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Digging up an old thread, same issue in my rumble seat coupe. What's the process?

08-22-2017, 11:03 AM	#3
Jeff M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: CA Posts: 104	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Any insight on this? How are the reproduction bolts?

08-22-2017, 11:23 AM	#4
Bob from Northport Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: 215 E. 6th Street Northport, Michigan 49670 Posts: 941	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe The rear seat pan under the rumble area is riveted in. It does not unbolt and come out. But it is riveted to the body, not the frame. I have found some welded, but believe it should only have rivets that would need to be drilled out. __________________ Bob from Northport Northport, Michigan

08-22-2017, 12:07 PM	#5
Jeff M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: CA Posts: 104	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Thanks for the reply, I think mine was a converted car so it's bolted in. Is the seat pan the only thing that needs to be removed if that's the case? No trunk lid, etc.?

08-22-2017, 01:12 PM	#6
30Ford Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Eastern Canada NB Posts: 166	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) There is a tool that taper cuts the first few threads and gives you a new start

08-22-2017, 01:24 PM	#7
Jeff M Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: CA Posts: 104	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Mine are bent as well.

08-22-2017, 01:43 PM	#8
larrys40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St Charles , Missouri Posts: 1,998	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe Ed, As Bob said the pan was originally riveted on. You would have to grind off the rivit preferably on the bottom side. Not a fun job upside down. Then punch them out and probably re-rivit with pop rivits when putting it back. I have a sport coupe in the shop right now. I will take a look at it for clearance, but I think removing the pan is the best way. I wouldn't undo the body and disturb rear fenders, body mounts, hood, etc. It would be counter productive. If there's enough clearance to put a wedge up between the pan and center of the crossmember it my be enough room to wiggle it up and out. Usually not but some have a little more clearance than others. Larry Shepard

08-23-2017, 09:24 AM	#9
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: exchanging rear spring u bolts in a 30 Sport Coupe IF you cut a hole, save the old piece, to WELD back in! Gregg threw away the piece I sawed out, when I put the exhaust heater in Minerva!! (DRAT IT!) Those firewalls are TOUGH, I spent $17.00 for a QUALITY Hole Saw, that would cut it! (I burned up 2 cheep ones, first!) Bill Drafty __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF" Last edited by BILL WILLIAMSON; 08-23-2017 at 06:53 PM.