Snapped bolts on rear bumper reinforcement bar

Hi all,

I tried to remove the rear bumper to do some job on it. Removed the bolts and clips all around but the bumper didn't want to come off.
Didn't want to damage the bumper so decided to remove with the reinforcement bar. Sounds an easy job: is is only 4 bolts, a pair in the boot and another 2 accessible from underneath. Unfortunately I snapped the two lower bolts.
So what the heck can I do to remove the snapped bolt heads from the reinforcement bar?
Tried with a hammer by supporting with a piece of pipe from the back but no luck.
Should I try to heat with a gas torch and then cool it down? I don't have the tools to drill it off or to use an angle grinder. Any other ideas?

Hello mate, I'd heat it with an oxy-acetylene torch and give it a whack. That should loosen it. I'd support it with a u channel so it doesn't crumple or bend. The easier way would be to grind it flush and then drill the centre out, the rest will get knocked out easily.

It looks like it's pressed in, like the wheel bolt studs with mini splines.

It will be fine with just those bolts left its not under massive strain. I cut away nearly all of the bumper support bracket on the rally car. A whole load of weight saving

Laugarshabz said:

Hello mate, I'd heat it with an oxy-acetylene torch and give it a whack. That should loosen it. I'd support it with a u channel so it doesn't crumple or bend. The easier way would be to grind it flush and then drill the centre out, the rest will get knocked out easily.

It looks like it's pressed in, like the wheel bolt studs with mini splines.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I have no reach to acetylene torch but will give it a try with a butane torch.

SuperUno said:

It will be fine with just those bolts left its not under massive strain. I cut away nearly all of the bumper support bracket on the rally car. A whole load of weight saving

Click to expand...

I agree it is not under heavy stress so I was thinking the same to put it back as is. But on the other hand it can be helpful in the case of low speed collision. Another reason to fix it properly is to avoid any complains in the case of sale.