I have a '79 XJS that I am getting ready to go to paint. I was going to take off the front bumper, as its very rusty so I was going to work on cleaning it up while the car is in the shop. I got all the covers off, no problem (well, a few problems, but nothing I can't figure out). The problem is the two big bolts holding the actual bumper structure on the car. I got the nuts off with a lot of force. The bolts are freely spinning in their holes, but I can't drive them up and out - even with the big hammer, some heat, and some penetrating oil. It sounds like there are a bunch of spacers and/or sleeves inside, so I am assuming it's all rusted in. Any neat tricks for me to get those bolts out without too much collateral destruction?

Thanks!
B

 

It’s been a half dozen years since I did mine; if I recall the spacer is welded into the bumper bar. If the bolt is spinning with the spacer, you might want to tighten the nut back up and get out the masking tape and paper.
Otherwise I would think that you would have to cut an access hole to be able to heat the spacer, then weld back together. Or get a used bumper bar.

 

Thanks for your help! As it turns out, the old "soak it in oil and bang the **** out of it with a big hammer" worked! Thanks again!