(Mis)adventures removing the UCA bolt on my 2020

The idea of bending the sheet metal out of the way to remove this thing seems impossible; I did quite a number on it with vise grips and a pry bar, and still couldn't get clearance even on the driver's side which is allegedly easier.

Is cutting the bolt head off and just replacing it going the opposite way the best/ easiest method of changing out my UCAs? I really don't want to pay someone else to do something I otherwise feel capable of doing, but it was admittedly very frustrating to get everything disassembled and then hit this roadblock. I've been told it's possible to get it out via bending, I just can't see how without mangling the metal even more than I already have, and if the solution is $30 for a pair of new bolts that sounds much better than a few hundred for a shop to do it for me.

 

I had an easier time with the passenger side. Though I learned from the drivers side first.
You’ll only need to bend the metal to get the bolt head past about an inch... then you’ll need to beat the crap out of it (don’t forget to unbolt the little black box on the bottom side of the battery). There is a little metal piece that you can’t bend, you just have to beat it past there. Sorry I don’t have any pics from when I did mine. The bending I did was ugly and jagged. Watch out for the wire bundle on the inside part of that lip too.
You can cut the bolt but I’d still recommend installing it the correct way. I doubt the nut would loosen and fall off if you used locktite and torqued correctly but why take that chance. I’d your going to put larger tires on, look into beating the pinch weld, I’m pretty sure that will help take care of your issue too and save you time later... I think...

 

This might ease your mind on cutting the bolts. This was in one of the UCA threads and the debate of cutting versus bending and the bolt threads facing uphill with the nut on top.
Someone posted this from a field service manual. I thought I copied everything he posted but I just got the one page.

 

I cut my bolts and I helped @WrecklessAbandon bend his fender. From my perspective, cutting was much easier. I have no fear of my bolts coming undone. Honestly, when you retorque them, you'll realize that they won't come undone on their own. If you're worried about it, add some witness marks to the bolt and nut, so you can quickly visually check if they're backing off.

My vote, spend the $30 and cut them

 

Have done both ways many times. Cutting UCA bolt is cleaner, easier, faster.

If you are close to clearing, can hammer the bolt out. Hammer on the head of bolt only. If close, will slip right out.

 

Keep bending...you're almost there and you don't have spare bolts laying around.

 

I know this is old but.... AIR HAMMER. The harbor freight one costs like $20 and it takes 5 min each side to hammer the sheet metal a bit and the bolt comes right out