A bolt retention system includes a bolt and a receiver. The bolt has a head formed at the end having a radial thickness greater than an adjacent neck and a threaded portion having a plurality of external bolt threads. The receiver has a spring section, a threaded section, and a bracket section. The spring section has a distal end that springs outwardly from a longitudinal axis of the bolt as the head of the bolt passes through the spring section, the distal end of the spring section being biased to maintain contact with the neck of the bolt after the head of the bolt passes through the spring section to create an interference fit with the head of the bolt. The threaded section of the receiver is adapted to receive the threaded portion of the bolt for securing the bolt to the work piece.