Help needed with rear bumper bolts- Captive nuts broke free

[dub warrior3 0]

Today I tried to remove the rear bumper and first the bolts on the drivers side.

They were a bit of a pig to get at as they were recessed into some box section. When I did eventually find them they were massively tight. They started moving and suddenly both went slack.

Gutted, the captive nuts have broke free.

 

I have no idea what to do now to get the bumper off.

 

The way I see it, my best option is to try and get my power file into the holes and grind the heads off the bolts.

Hopefuly then I should be able to drift the headless bolts and captive nuts upwards to free up the bumper irons.

The trouble is, I dont know if there is sufficient room above the iron for the remainder of the bolt to go upwards.

 

What I dont reall want to have to do is cut into the bodywok with a grinder just to free up the bumper.

 

Any advice?

[C488ADO 0]

THAT Or die grind the bolt heads off then as you say you should be able to push remaing bolt up through nd get your bumper off...