Nuts On Battery Tray Spinning, How To Get Off?

[johnboy1984 5 1 Cars]

Okay,

 

I've gathered from searching various threads on the subject that I need to jack up the gearbox and remove the bolts, but I'm struggling to find anything on the two big red nuts that did loosen at first but then just appear to now be turning, as if the nut is turning with it.. I'm guessing they are tacked onto the body of the car so how do I get at it?... Also does this mean having to re weld another 2 on?...

 

I went to.fit a new battery and the clamp.has been off for some time... I want to remove the tray and blast and paint it, plus re thread the battery clamp thread.

 

Ive also read there are more bolts not seen in the picture holding this on?.. Please explain this as if you were explaining it to someone that's never seen a car before. I'm not a complete numbskull, but I get lost with abbreviations

 

[j_turnell 137 3 Cars]

There are captive nuts underneath the tray. Only option is to grind the heads off. The other two bolts are below these on the inside of the chassis rail. Lower the box on a jack and use a 13mm flexi head ratchet spanner. New captive nuts can be bought and fitted. Put a Small amount of copper grease on the bolts when refitting to prevent this happening again.

[johnboy1984 5 1 Cars]

Thanks for the reply mate... One question though, how do I get the new nuts on?.. Is there anywhere I can access the underside?... Also, if these are a self gripping type nut (I'm guessing) then would levering the head of the bolt and removing maybe allow it to catch grip and come off?...

[camgti 56]

Buy some universal joints for your forearms!

 

You can get to the just with the right tools. Or get some help.

 

Its my lest favourite job on a 205. The chassis bolts always seems really tricky tonget in as you can see where you putting them.