Okay... Given that there is
"Always More Than One Way to Skin A Cat..." have a closer look at what this design really implies:
(1) The 15mm Nut is "Clam-Shelled" to a
"Sideways "U" Shaped Plate" in order to be able slip it on... above and below the thickness of the Plate Steel Bracket
(in some instances) and thus...its design prevents the Nut from Turning once the Threaded Hole of this device is aligned with the Open Hole in the upper Bracket. Note that the
Red Arrow displays the Open Slot that allows this "Metal Sandwich" to work out in this way.
(2) But if NOT ...and there is
...No EZ Way ....to position and hold this unique "Clam-Shell Nut" in place, take the Dorman Kit to your Garage Bench and gently start prying the two Tang Halves apart until the 'Bendy" point can be flattened out; either with a Ball Peen Hammer ...or by using a Small Vise ....Right where that
Blue Arrow depicted on the image below is pointing.
(3) Grab that Flattened Tang with a Pair of Needle Nose Pliers and manipulate the Bolt through the Gas Tank Strap...and carefully align the other Bolt to Tang end over the Hidden Hole in the Upper frame where the Original Nut was Spot Welded...and Start Threading that 15mm Bolt on though. If the Bolt-Flattened Tang begins to Rotate...grab hold of it again with the Pliers and hang on until it develops enough contact friction to stop turning. Gently but firmly tighten the whole Rig Down... and you're
"Good To Go" for another 22 Years. :>)
(4) If it comes down to cases ...and you simply cannot get any purchase in the area where this hole & fastener are located... Consider MIG Welding on a length of 16 Gauge Flat Stock Steel about 1" Wide X 18" in Length... right along the outer edge the Flattened Tang-Nut... and then bend it around into the Right Shape so you can fish it up into place ...and hold it right where the Strap Hole, the Nut-Tang and the New 15mm Bolt properly align ....and then...
Start Threading that 15mm Bolt on IN:
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