A Post Panel Removal

[racerstev]

Seems the "Lower fixing bolts" just spin, the captive bolt dosn't seem to be capive anymore. There is no access from
either inside or under the car. Do I need to remove the sill panel to get to them? I'd hate to cut into the car to
fix this..

[Specky]

There's a few ways:-

Remove bolt heads, drill etc...

The standard way of recovery with limited tools,

Gain access through the forward sill lightning hole, working towards the outboard edge of the reinforced jacking pillar there is a space at the top and outboard edge. You can use a number of home made tools to recover lost items.

A few examples,

A wire coat hanger used to flick the item rearwards. You can just get you fingers in behind the pillar.
Mechanical grabbers
Ruler with some really sticky tape
Flexible boroscope with a wire hook taped to the end.. Hook the nut.

My method was to turn the tub upside down and give it a rattle and the bits worked into the middle section.

Or leave them there and squeeze some sealant over the top.

TTFN

[racerstev]

Thanks for the reply Specky!

I'm thinking of removing the heads like you say and try to whats left out as best I can.

To repair it the plan is to use a stainless plate with 2 nuts welded to it. This I will attach
to the sill from the top with a 2 part adhesive. Then stainless bolts to hold the plate down to
it. No more rust and no more Rivnuts.. Always hated those things, they remind me of hanging
pictures in drywall! LOL