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Old 05-01-2017, 05:56 PM   #1
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Pop Top Repair / Welding in SF Bay Area?

So as some of you know my car was hit while parked and the driver fled. Anyways, today I popped my gtrv top (not smb) and noticed bolts connected to the top had snapped off from the impact of the hit.

Anyone in San Francisco area know a good place/shop to get the bolts welded back? I'm guessing most auto body shops would have a hoist for the top but I don't want to use just any auto body shop for this repair.

Independent work welcomed too.

Thanks!
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Old 05-01-2017, 06:37 PM   #2
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From your photo, it doesn't look like you need any welding, just to remove the broken bolt and install a new one. Am I missing something?
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Old 05-01-2017, 06:42 PM   #3
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Yes because 1/3 of the bolt is stuck in the hole. It snapped off and also stripped the screw hole pattern.
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Old 05-01-2017, 07:23 PM   #4
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Easy fix. Drill the center of the bolt, use an easy out to remove the broken part, and then re-tap for the next size larger, or install a Helicoil to keep the same size. It shouldn't be too expensive, probably an hour's labor.
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Old 05-01-2017, 07:38 PM   #5
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If you can clean up the threads (very small file can work) you should be able to thread on two nuts, and then take a wrench to the nut furthest back. The back nut will jam against the front nut and you should be able to rotate out the bolt.


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Old 05-01-2017, 08:12 PM   #6
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I wish my garage was tall enough. I would fix it myself but unfortunately, I can't.
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Old 05-01-2017, 08:45 PM   #7
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PM 1der or RallyPanam. Both are long time SF residents and can probably put you on a fab shop that can handle that. It looks like a job almost any welding shop or folks with some basic mechanical knowledge and tools to back it up can do. There are lots of other SF folks on here too but those two came to mind right away.
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Old 05-08-2017, 04:17 PM   #8
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So far, 3 body shops refused the job. All 3 didn't have a hoist to hold the top in place. 2 didn't want to weld in a tight area with flammable fabric inches away.

Still need suggestions if anyone knows someone that might know someone etc
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Old 05-08-2017, 04:37 PM   #9
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Come over sometime and let me take a look, we can go from there.
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Old 05-08-2017, 05:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rallypanam View Post
Come over sometime and let me take a look, we can go from there.
Wow thanks Robb!

I'm also turning toward the helicoil route
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