Made a stupid HUGE MISTAKE! Need advice

Made a huge mistake this morning while I was fastening breakaway security nuts onto bolts that come up through the front stakepocket for my backrack. Somehow while torquing one of the nuts it didnt break off early enough ( I was using a normal socket wrench) and pulled/folded the sheet metal. And the security nut broke off before I realized it folded the metal. GRRR! So basically main question is how structurally sound is it? Only real fix I can think is welding on a nice strong piece of steel right around the bolt (Pre-drilled) And I was not torquing crazy hard. Must have been a weak spot in the metal. Any comments/advice would be appreciated!

 

Big fender washer grade 8

 

@FrenchToasty Thanks! Great idea. I knew there was a simpler solution.

 

Well sure, if you want to spend 8 cents.

 

Correction 3cents…….

 

I need to find a new washer guy.

 

Yeah you need to find a better Ace hardware

 

https://www.copperstate.com/
Best place to get hardware

 

Never saw a problem that couldn't be fixed by throwing a ton of pennies at it!