Need help with power steering gear mounting nuts on K Frame

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Bob Jasinski

Bob Jasinski

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I'm about to paint the K frame of my '65 Barracuda. In prepping it, I noticed the 3 power steering gear mount holes only have one captive nut. Is this correct? I took it apart 10 years ago and don't recall having any issue on disassembly. It seems very strange to me that only one mount hole has a captive nut. To make matters more challenging, I had the K frame reinforced with a kit from Firm Feel back then, and some access from behind to place nuts at these 2 holes is/are limited. It may be possible to sneak a nut in behind them, but holding them while tightening would be difficult, especially when installed in the car. Shouldn't there be captive nuts at all 3 mount points? Can I install captive nuts somehow?

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looks like two of those got stripped and cut out. you'll need to cut open a window or two to get access
 
I would drill out the hole large enough to fit a proper sized grade 8 nut. Hold the nut in place with a bolt (protecting the nut threads too) and weld the nut flush with the mount 360 degrees. May be do the third as it may snap like the others did.
That's how I would repair it. Maybe other ideas from other people?
 
I have seen kits for installing captive fasteners, was hoping someone on the list would know. Really don't want to cut holes in the K frame and would like to avoid welding if I can. I can get a nut behind each hole, but how to fasten it in place to keep it from turning is the challenge.
 
i'm not trusting two nutserts there...weld it, bolt it clear through or get a new one
 
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Yes, I agree, it's too important to rely on a nutsert. I did come up with what I think will work though. I found two square nuts 7/16", like the factory nut still in place on the one. I am able to pull it through with a cord and hold it tight against the back side for tacking in place. Gonna try that.
 
If you're going to go to all that trouble why not just use a legit weld nut? That way you can weld it all the way around
 
What exactly is a "legit weld nut" please tell. Where would I get two of those?
 
Found one at Grainger. Thanks for the tip, the flange will keep it from moving around and stay positioned.
 
Good fasteners stores carry specialized nuts. I don't know all the terminology. flange nuts, heavy nuts, tall nuts tab or tabbed nuts. Any of those is a possibility. I've even "been known" (I prefer "heavy" which has an extra large hex) to weld a nut to a scrap of steel to form a tab. Once you hold it in place an start it, the tab acts as a wrench "inside." Then I discovered "in the 90's" Dodge at least uses these inside the frame for bumper mounts, etc
 
There is a 65 K here locally for $80. Good call on reinforcing that area, I cracked mine and the front end shimmied like a paint mixer at 10 MPH. I dont think those holes were wallowed out, I think the captive nuts were just that big.
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I've got $500 into this one, did it in 2010. Firm Feel kit I had welded locally.
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The whole story, Problem was they didn't or couldn't keep this land that the steering gear sits against flat enough. The bolts would work loose then break the welds.
When Chrysler Corp. provided majority of funding to develop a thread locking chemical product, it was all about these 3 bolts. So we can thank Chrylser for Duponts Locktite. Beyond, or while waiting for that, there were also 3 special bolts with special interference thread pitch and special heads to identify them, used for some number of years.
They did eventually figure out how to weld 3 nuts to the back of this land and keep it flat.
No matter how you fix it, check mating surfaces for flat, clean, and dry.
If this early K was mine, I would start a parts wanted thread for those 3 special bolts also. Good luck with it.
 
So, I got the K frame back from my welder yesterday. He was able to slightly enlarge the holes, fish the new 7/16" square nuts through from the back side using a wire, and weld into place, I'm happy with the results. I've done some research on the special 12 point bolts used on later cars, and spoke with Firm Feel about it. They are aware of the bolts, but when I asked how they were different other than the 12 point head, I was told "nothing really" and did not know about any special interference fit property of the bolts. There are some listed new on eBay as I write this, so I'll order and install them.

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