Bolt on door hinge fell into body... what to do now.

[Slykin]

Yeah... so I was taking my upper left door hinge off and the bolt that is nearest the back of the car fell into the body when I took the nut off. I really don't know what to do because I can't attach my hinge now and I can't reach the inside of the door to put a new washer and bolt in. I heard you may be able to reach the inside of the door jamb by taking my quarter panel off?? Any info would be GREATLY appreciated, thanks.

 

[CC'S95GT]

magnet on a string.

 

[Slykin]

Well, I fished around for it with a magnet on a rod and couldn't find it. And IF I could find it I couldn't reach up to put it back in the hole where it fell from. :/

 

[CC'S95GT]

Once you get a replacement bolt.
Put the bolt in the socket or ratcheting box end and apply a couple drops of super glue to the edge where they meet. Then start tightening the bolt. The glue will hold it on the socket long enough to get it tight but the chrome won't hold it permanently. Any excess glue will just chip off the chrome.

 

[Slykin]

Sorry, didn't explain it right. It's not really a bolt, it's like two bolts put together at the heads except there's not head, just a flat metal plate that fits over the hole. I have another "bolt" but I can't reach to the back of the hole to put a washer and nut on so it won't just fall out the hole. I hope this makes sense somehow, it's kinda confusing. I guess my real question is how do I get to the inside of my door "jamb". I think taking my front fender off might help? Thanks.

 

[GDTrumbo]

Can you remove the interior kick panel and access the inner door jamb area?

GT

 

[Slykin]

Maybe if my arm was one inch in diameter, but no, it's already off and I can't fit my arm up there high enough. I think i'm going to try taking the quarter panel off and reaching from under the hood.. we'll see

 

[Slykin]

Anyone have any more suggestions??? I need more door back on lol.

 

[wayne94mustang]

i've done this thru the kick panel.

and FYI the 1/4 panel you speak of is called a fender....lol

 

[GDTrumbo]

The only car I can remember that the front fenders are referred to as 1/4's are on the Chevy Corvair. Reason being that they are welded into the uni-body structure like the rears are.

GT

 

[cntchds]

Taking the fender off is a breeze. I've done it a few times now. Twice in the rain.

Two bolts behind the door, extensions are your friend. I want to say four bolts under the hood, and two connecting it to the bumper. You may want to remove your bumper entirely, but since mine has terrible paint, and isn't in great shape anyway, I just pulled it off of its studs to take the fender off.

Or, if all you want to do is get in and get out, you can just pull back the wheel well liner and reach in there from the back.