Can you cut the floor around the c-channel bolts?

[adwriter73]

I'm replacing the floor along the back of the trailer. The bolts going through the c-channel (and I assume that hold the frame to the shell) are severely rusted. I was able to cut the screws, but the bolts seem impossible. Was wondering if I could just leave them and cut the new floor to fit around them. Then, drill for new bolts in another area.

[pbearsailor]

I sure don't think I'd want to give up the structure of the plywood by cutting it away. After I pulled my old rotted floor out, I just used my 4" grinder to cut off the old rusted bolts and pulled out the pieces with vice grips.

steve

[Bo&Susan]

We used a sawsall and also a grinder (which ever was closest to us) to cut through them and a tap with a hammer and they drop out. Susan

[68 TWind]

Be very careful with a sawsall, you can put the blade through the outside of the trailer. How do I know this?

The best way I found was to use a cut off wheel in an angle grinder. Most of the time you don't have to cut all the way through, just about 1/2 way, then you can clamp it with a pair of vise-grips and work it back and forth until it breaks off. On a couple of bolts I had used a Dremel tool with a cut off for hard to get areas. You really must get these bolts out to to the job correctly. Takes time, but worth it. Installing the new plywood into the c-channel is very difficult, I can't imagine how you could do it with the old bolts in the way.

[HowieE]

You will find that as the bolts were pulled down in assembly they crushed the strand board and the C channel around them will not be 3/4 so you will have to shave some wood off or cut the relieves larger the just around the bolts. You will not be able to just install other bolts at other location as the originals were into the outriggers and the flange on the tops is only about an inch wide.

I would strive to cut them out and spread the C Channel open to accept the wood.

[LI Pets]

To put new bolts or self tapping screws in.

You need to get the banana wraps off and drill from the bottom up or the interior skin and drill down.

[overlander63]

Those particular bolts are 3/8" x about 3" long. You don't need to remove the banana wrap to get to them, as they are accessible through the bumper compartment. You will need to remove the interior skin, though.

[Wabbiteer]

I plunged a notch through mine alongside the bolt with a rotozip tool and a skinny 1/16" metal cutting blade - a dremel tool with the aluminum oxide cutting wheel would work too but take longer, object is to just weaken the nut enough a pair of pliers or socket will crumble it off or allow it to turn...

[purman]

I cut around two when I replaced part of my front floor, Not ideal, but it was my first patch. I cut them out when I replace the rear floor and put new ones in. If you do cut the plywood just make sure to treat all the edges of it...

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by purman

I cut around two when I replaced part of my front floor, Not ideal, but it was my first patch. I cut them out when I replace the rear floor and put new ones in. If you do cut the plywood just make sure to treat all the edges of it...

You cut around the bolts? And it worked?

[VIKING]

If you read Purmans post, it sounds to me like he did this due to inexperience rather than because it's the right way to do it. How would he do it now that he has experience?
You could do what you are contemplating, but does it work?
NO!
Cut the bolts, or break them. You will do a better job if you follow the original construction. Anything else might just come back to bite you in the a$$(dollar signs intentional).

Rich the Viking

Originally Posted by adwriter73

You cut around the bolts? And it worked?

[adwriter73]

Originally Posted by VIKING

If you read Purmans post, it sounds to me like he did this due to inexperience rather than because it's the right way to do it. How would he do it now that he has experience?
You could do what you are contemplating, but does it work?
NO!
Cut the bolts, or break them. You will do a better job if you follow the original construction. Anything else might just come back to bite you in the a$$(dollar signs intentional).

Rich the Viking

Very true. I will work on it this weekend and see if I can cut them and drill them out.

[purman]

Originally Posted by adwriter73

You cut around the bolts? And it worked?

If you look at my post http://www.airforums.com/forums/f44/...dor-44644.html I did it on a patch in the front. It was one of the first ones I did. The other 4 I cut the bolts and put new ones in as they hold the trailer together. Especially in the back!!!! It doesn't take that much more time. I used an angle grinder to cut them out with.

Good luck

[crestonrv]

will work but make sure you remove all old wood and moisture, and seal the rear wall at top of bumper enclosure real good ( point of entry for water). just got rear floor out of my 64 and used a 4" grinder with a 4" cutting wheel to chop off old bolts and screws works great and cuts through them like butter, got them at lowes about 3 bucks ea. but pay for themselfs quickly and seem to last a long time. i used a new 1 today to cut away all the old bolts on the rear 4' and still has plenty of life left.