Help! Transmission Crossmember Question

[racingundertaker]

I have an issue with my 1973 Corvette transmission crossmember. Upon doing the "routine" underbody nut and bolt check, I found that one of the two bolts securing the crossmember to the frame on the passenger side was loose. Further inspection showed that the bolt was freely spinning around in the hole, still attached to a fastener in the frame rail. I am thinking that someone cranked on the bolt (either trying to loosen or tighten) and broke the fastener loose inside the frame. It wasn't me! LOL.......Anyway, is there anyway to get this bolt retightened in the fastener? It seems to me that there was some type of fastener perhaps welded inside the lower frame rail that probably snapped. I do not want to cut the bolt off, because then whatever is inside the frame rail will probably roll around, plus missing one bolt will drive me nuts on this whole thing. Any help given would be appreciated! Thanks!

 

[Red69]

Try this: Drill a 1/8 inch hole on eith side of the bolt hole in the frame. With the inside nut pulled tight to the frame, tack weld it through the holes. This will work fine as long as the bolt isn't frozen to the nut. The heat from the weld might free it up though. If not, apply a little penetrating oil and let it soak a few hours and try again. After you remove the bolt, replace all of them with a new one.