rear tire carrier brace, how to get at.......?

[twodoorblazer]

Ok, I have a 99 two door blazer with the tire on the back gate. As everybody knows, the brace in the quater panel sucks, anyway, I was taking out one of the torx bolts, and the nut that is welded to the brace inside the panel must have broke off , now the torx bolt just spins. Anybody know how to get to the inside of the brace so I can fix it ? I already tried the tail lights, no access point behind there...... Anybody?


Thanks

[twodoorblazer]

Anybody remove their rear tire carrier? I wonder if I can get to the brace if I remove the rear trim....

[aceslick78]

i had the same thing happen when i was repainting my blazer the bottom nut right below the tail light the weld broke, had to cut out some of the inner metal, its not easy work but it can be done.

[aceslick78]

by inner metal i mean the sheet metal on the inside of the vehicle right next to the tail gate.

[twodoorblazer]

how did you get at it? From the inside of the vehicle behind the plastic trim?
Also, what year is yours?

[aceslick78]

ya it was on the inside behind the trim and the carpet, mines a 95 but they should be basicly the same
maybe when i go home this weekend ill take some pictures of how i cut it out and what it looks like if you want

[twodoorblazer]

If you could snap a couple photos that would be very much appreciated........ thanks so much

[Jimmy-James]

Yeah, my outside carrier sucks, but luckily, it doesn't squeak. Can't take it off because of system in rear.

With the carrier securely latched, would it be strong enough to pull somebody on a sled with the rope tied to one of the bars?

[twodoorblazer]

hehe, on a sled? How heavy ? I guess it might be, but too much force could pull the carrier open and bam, bend the rear quater panel. Why not put on a simple ball hitch?

[Jimmy-James]

Lazy i guess and i don't have a spare hitch laying around.

Just making plans for the snow.

[BLAZ1N]

dont stop too fast or you will decapitate the sledder