I did it without touching the fuel tank

[FrameShift]

Hallo Everybody,

I would like to give some information to this forum for fellow spider lovers, who are in the process of taking those heavy bumpers off their spider. You can take the back bumper off without having to resort to taking out the fuel tank!! Honest!! I've just done it. As you all know the problem is with the 22mm headed, 14mm diameter bolt, on the driver's side - the other side justs screws straight out with no problems. I have read the numerous threads on this forum and the least trouble entailed slackening off the fuel tanks 13mm nuts thet hold it on and lifting the tank free of them and pushing it to one side to allow the bolt to come all the way out. I was all set to do this, but when I say how the tank was kind of bonded in on the flange I was reluctant to break that seal, because I've had troubles with cars that had leaky boots and I didn't want to go there with the spider. I almost gave up the whole idea of removing the blasted bumpers and then I looked more closely at the clearance. I screwed out the bolt until it just touched the tank, backed it back in half a rev and with a junior hacksaw and some expensive, but very good, Sandvik blades cut through the bolt to leave about 5mm of the bolt sticking out. The cut took about 10 minutes and my arm got a bit tired during the process, I'm a lot older than I used to be. I then took a pair of pipe grips and screwed out the bolt until it once again touched the tank, backed it in a bit, and cut the bolt again leaving a bit sticking out to hold the pipe grips. I repeated this another once and was left with a bolt in four pieces, but fully out, without disturbing the tank in any way. For each cut I used a brand new blade in the hacksaw. So it can be done for those who are wanting to do it.
I would have posted some pictures, but my digital camera has packed in just when I needed it.
Thanks for all the other info on this thread.
Brian Spencer.

[mdrburchette]

I had to resort to your way of removing bolts when I found the long alternator bolt was put in backwards. It was far simpler to use a saw than to remove the motor mount!
I imagine there is a little difference in the early model Fiats. I have no problem removing the bolt for the left rear bumper. It clears the fuel tank nicely.

[2ndwind]

Good going Brian,
You are a patient soul. But hey, alternative thinking is a good thing.