Side mirror jack nut

[htjph]

Is it possible to retighten a jack nut? Can or should it be done? I was replacing the the side mirror gaskets and discovered the mirrors had been removed before. One of the bolts on the driver's side was replaced with a non-factory bolt. It was seized or stuck which broke the jack nut free when I tried to remove it and the bolt just spun. Had to remove the door panel to hold the back of the jack nut to get the bolt out. I ran a factory bolt in that jack nut and it threads in and out easily, so the threads are still good. The only problem is that it won't tighten completely because the jack nut spins. If the jack nut can't be retightened I'll have to figure out how to get it out without damaging the sheet metal and paint. Located some 1/4-20 replacements that have the coating like the factory jack nuts.

 

[Wes Harden]

to remove it you'll need to drill the head off. You want to drill just large enough to separate the head flange from the nut, but not so big to hit the door panel.
Have a buddy hold the back with some vise grips.

You could hold the nut while assembling the mirror and put the door panel on after. How often will you need to get to this fastener ? Not much hopefully.

 

[htjph]

You could hold the nut while assembling the mirror and put the door panel on after. How often will you need to get to this fastener ? Not much hopefully.

I was thinking this as well. Don't plan on needing to get back into this unless something happens to the mirror. Heckuva lot easier than removing and replacing the jack nut. Gonna get a replacement just in case. I wonder if tightening the bolt while holding from the back during mirror install will reclamp the jack nut.

Found the GM part number for the factory jack nuts - 367292

 

[Wes Harden]

It very could squeeze it more and lock it down enough to function with the correct thread size