Urgent help nose panel!

[mitch23]

i have tried replacing my nose myself, I have followed a tutorial and managed to get it out.

I need my car tomorrow early, so i need the headlights and idicators in by tomorrow moring, Its now 9 PM in australia, I know next to nothing about cars.

The 2 bolts on either side that go horizonally won't screw in, Why can i not screw them back in, It feels like there is nothing to screw it back into?

PLEASE, HELP ME!

[flyfishvt]

There is normally a small clip that the screws go into like the end of the panel. It might have fallen off or slid down. I would leave it off for now. You don't need the nose panel for the headlights and corners. The nose panel is just decorative.

If you cant get those bolts/screws to go in you can use a normal bolt and nut.

[mitch23]

is this the same as the screws on the bottom of the headlights?, i have managed to get it in without the 2 bolts ofln the side.l, the bottom headlights screws and the ones i mentioned above, pretty dodged up.

[flyfishvt]

The headlights are held in with their own screws that go into those plastic adjusters. You don't need the nose panel to put the headlights back in.

Like I said before. The nose panel is decorative. The only thing it is used for is a place to mount the kidneys. You could drive forever without the nose panel and never know the difference if you never looked at the front of the car.

[mitch23]

all done, i got all bolts in but the horizontal ones, i could not fit a bolt in behind it so i just put it on without them, how are you suppose to get the bolt hehind that anyway?

[flyfishvt]

One of two ways. You can push a bolt from the inside out and attach a nut to it or you can push a bolt in then take a box wrench and hold the nut behind it while you screw the bolt in. If yoiu use the second method a dab of silicone caulk on the nut makes it sticky so it stays in the box wrench long enough for you to grab a few threads with the bolt.

If you don't get those bolts in the nose panel will sag and bounce around. some people only put one per side in but ir really needs two per side.

[mitch23]

Well under my wheel well is cracked and split of both sides I was able to get a bolt in the sides without removing the bumper, in a while I'll need to replace a headlight and the bumper so I'll drive it the way it is for now, when I replace the bumper I'll do it all properly.

Should it be difficult to remove the bit blocking the centre horizontal nuts instead of wedging a wrench in there.

I really know nothing about cars but have given way to much money to mechanics and body shops, I need to learn how to repair and maintain the car myself.
In the process I may ask some really stupid questions so bare with me.

Thanks for the help.

Ps. Love your convertible, makes me want to run to the bank, get a loan and buy one.

[jmo69]

Are the fasteners you're talking about bolts that need a nut to screw into or are they more like sheet metal screws? If they are the latter, a speed nut or body nut might be what you need. They come in screw threads or machine threads. They look like this and slide over the edge of the metal where the hole is. Should be self-explanatory.
http://lh5.googleusercontent.com/public/8BHQAPZWmdpDsmQtHDd6HzULu8bPPnjJ_jaMqFaxDbv_WBRNMf tSa2SgX25WOZLe4RIpuUTK6ZXDeOFfFNzY4V6SJQKTTdyJjj1-n_KijJxu1pYrEOxt4OLivC0ftVBTw-oi-iwn8v1luEBgOIFzuldJD_ehL7iOG6LR4Xb9HYLwB1VMv_y62nt dKMActhL8p9O3ABqcldj0Ssd6yFDJosVoY4G-fkFj-akJzg

[mitch23]

i had those but there fell off them i pulled the nose panel, i was trying to use nut and bolt, ill buy some of these put them on when i remove the bumper, didnt know what they where called to search for them.

ive never been a handy man, with the will and want to learn tho hopfully i can pick it up and learn more about my car.