How do I replace imbedded hood hinge nut?

[767Jockey]

There are nuts molded into the fiberglass hood of my car where the hood hinge bolts on. One of them has broken away and is now rattling around inside the hood. I imagine removing it is a lost cause, short of cutting the hood open. The question now is, does someone make some sort of insert that will secure a thread in the hole that I can bolt to? If so, what are they called, and what type of outlet would I go to locally to buy some? I'd rather not mail order something this small if I don't have to. Thanks!

[1blackbb66]

Usually they have a rather large flange that is imbeded into the glass, so I'm surprised that it came loose. If you can get a hold of it with a wire and get it back to where it belongs you could use some Devcon two part epoxy to secure it. This stuff is so tough you would need a grenade to get it loose again. They also have nut-serts that expand or mushroom on the back side but these don't work real well because they tend to crush and split the fiberglass. Maybe call a couple of your larger fastener houses in your area and see if they have anything that will work.

Ray

[HI Cobra]

If the nut that is floating is steel use a strong magnet to drag it where you
can remove it. If it is stainless good luck. Maybe remove the hood and
vibrate it with something to move the nut around. sounds like you are
having fun now.