BCRanger
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Miles
- Joined
- Sep 17, 2020
- Threads
- 12
- Messages
- 202
- Reaction score
- 261
- Location
- Nelson, BC
- Vehicle(s)
- Ford Ranger Lariat FX4 2020
- Occupation
- Software
- Thread starter
- #1
For our alu-cab install, I need to remove not just the tailgate but the hinges. Halfway through it became clear that these bolts do not want to leave home. I made a mess of it but I don't feel that bad since my son did too. 1) It's bonded red loctite. 2) the bolt is aluminum and super soft - presumably to avoid steel on aluminium corrosion, almost like they never contemplated having it removed and 3) it's nearly impossible to get a straight run at it because of angle and obstruction. At this point I'm screwed if I can't figure this out because leaving on a long trip and I can't put the canopy door on OR the tailgate back.
I was afraid to use an impact driver because of angle, so tried a breaker bar / wrench, but that is slow rather than rapid break and worse I can't get any pressure on it - my son suggested that slow torque rather than quick impact might be contributing to problem. At this point the heads are an EMBARRASSING mess, so much I don't really want to show it here. But as bad as it looks I still have resistance so all hope isn't lost. Here are options my son and I came up with:
1. Rubber band trick -- didn't work.
2. Try the impact driver --could make it even worse.
3. Vise grips. Hahaha good luck.
4. Get plus size torx bit and pound it in with hammer.
5. Drill it out.
6. Use a bolt extractor.
At this point the bolts are a loss; I'm a lot more worred about f'in up the threads. Also, the reverse side of hinge clip is another clip which is moving around. Given space in there I'm not sure how I could even get in there to replace other side of clip if I have to.
Ideas welcome. Observations pointing out that I f'ed this up will be ignored, cause yeah, I already know that lol.
I was afraid to use an impact driver because of angle, so tried a breaker bar / wrench, but that is slow rather than rapid break and worse I can't get any pressure on it - my son suggested that slow torque rather than quick impact might be contributing to problem. At this point the heads are an EMBARRASSING mess, so much I don't really want to show it here. But as bad as it looks I still have resistance so all hope isn't lost. Here are options my son and I came up with:
1. Rubber band trick -- didn't work.
2. Try the impact driver --could make it even worse.
3. Vise grips. Hahaha good luck.
4. Get plus size torx bit and pound it in with hammer.
5. Drill it out.
6. Use a bolt extractor.
At this point the bolts are a loss; I'm a lot more worred about f'in up the threads. Also, the reverse side of hinge clip is another clip which is moving around. Given space in there I'm not sure how I could even get in there to replace other side of clip if I have to.
Ideas welcome. Observations pointing out that I f'ed this up will be ignored, cause yeah, I already know that lol.
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