Screwed Up The Cooling Bottle Securing Threads...

[1993GMCSierra]

Hi all,

Last night when I was finishing up routing my new antenna cable in the dash, I had my younger brother screw the coolant overflow tank back to the firewall.

Apparently, he crossthreaded the bolt on the left, and in the process, managed to break the area behind the firewall where the threaded section is. The bolt just spins, along with the threads in the firewall.

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How do I go about fixing this?

I want to replace the coolant bottle with a nice shiny new one, and now I can't tighten or remove the bolt.

Is there access from under the dash to get to this, or am I basically screwed? I really hate the thought of having to R&R my entire dash to fix this.

 

[94Sierra4x4]

I did the same thing. It is still like that. However if your replacing the bottle, cut the thing out, then vice grip the bolt head, and get a sawzall or a grinding disc behind it.
I just left mine lol.

 

[86454k30]

You may be able to access that through the cowl vent.

 

[///RAGMC]

You might be able to use this http://www.rivetsinstock.com/rivet-nuts-threaded-inserts/ribbed-l-series.html You can find them at ACE hardware there really cheap

 

[91Bluestreak]

I would pull the cowl up and see if you can get behind it, then use vice grips to hold it while you loosen the bolt.

 

[firefighter_2319]

yeah i agree with vise grips. that was a bad idea that gm had to use the speed nuts, like in the inner fenders etc, imo