front bumper bolt

[BoneZ]

Hi everyone. I went to do my body lift this last weekend and ran into a problem. I had everything needed removed took off except the front bumper. the front bolt that holds it on on the driver side is striped. I wanted to know if anyone has ran into this before and has a good way to get a stripped bolt out of the horrible location. I have not been able to get any extraction tools in there. If anyone has any tricks for this please let me know. I spent more time on that 1 bolt then I did getting everything else apart.

[Simon]

What bolt stripped? The ones that thread into the frame?

[BoneZ]

What bolt stripped? The ones that thread into the frame?

Yes the bolt that goes into the frame that you can only get to through that little slot in the fender.

[Simon]

Top or bottom? If it's the top, you might be able to put a clamp on the "tab" that sticks up to help press the bolt out as you unscrew. You should be able to reach it from under the truck, with the front skidplate off.

[k9sar]

easy to get at if you pull the fan shroud and radiator

[Precise1]

Heat it up with a torch, bang on it with a hammer, let it cool a bit and spray on a good penetrant spray (not WD-40), go to the hardware store and get a set or the correct size of these...

 

http://blog.bt-andf.com/blog/remove-stripp...olt/0/0/toolman

 

I have the first version, made by Sears.

 

If that doesn't get it out, start drilling and grinding...

 

B

 

Just a simple write up I found, shows the set I have and mentions a few other tricks.

 

http://www.jonfleck.com/2009/02/03/how-to-...bolts-and-nuts/

[alexrex20]

what do you mean by stripped? is the head of the bolt rounded off, or is the thread itself stripped inside the frame?

 

if the head is rounded off, i would just take a socket and hammer it onto the bolt. make sure it's a very tight fit, but not so tight that it cracks your socket. impact sockets are a softer metal, so i would use them if possible. it's up to you to gain access to that bolt though, lol.

 

if the thread is stripped, you can try sticking a straight-edge screwdriver (or pry bar, or anything that fits) under the bolt head and pry against it. by adding pressure, it can help any remaining threads grab onto something to start backing out the bolt.

[BoneZ]

what do you mean by stripped? is the head of the bolt rounded off, or is the thread itself stripped inside the frame?

 

if the head is rounded off, i would just take a socket and hammer it onto the bolt. make sure it's a very tight fit, but not so tight that it cracks your socket. impact sockets are a softer metal, so i would use them if possible. it's up to you to gain access to that bolt though, lol.

 

if the thread is stripped, you can try sticking a straight-edge screwdriver (or pry bar, or anything that fits) under the bolt head and pry against it. by adding pressure, it can help any remaining threads grab onto something to start backing out the bolt.

It is the head that is stripped and it is really stripped. I don't know how they got it so stripped when i first looked at it i thought it might be a alen it was so round but when i pointed a light at it no alen spot just a round stub where the hex should be.

[k9sar]

if all else fails, file (or dremel) opposite flat sides (make the head a rectangle) and get a big adjustable wrench on it.

 

and soak it in penetrating oil

[Simon]

OOOOOOOOOOOH. I thought that the threads were stripped.

 

Yep, hammer a socket on there, or try vice grips or what K9 suggested.

[unccpathfinder]

well my 87 had one of them sheared off when the previous owner hit a deer...it took me like 3 carbide bits to chew through it and i just drilled it out and put a through bolt on it with a nut on the backside...

 

if the tail of the bolt is far enough through and you get it broken loose you can thread it all the way through using vice grips on the inside to feed the bolt all the way through the hole...mine didnt work out that way but i've done that in different area's where bolts have sheared off

[GrimGreg]

if all else fails, file (or dremel) opposite flat sides (make the head a rectangle) and get a big adjustable wrench on it.

 

and soak it in penetrating oil

 

Same method kinda, but put a straight slot across the top and use a big flat head screwdriver.

 

Really though, Simon's "hammer a socket on it" would be my first approch.

[BoneZ]

Same method kinda, but put a straight slot across the top and use a big flat head screwdriver.

 

Really though, Simon's "hammer a socket on it" would be my first approch.

 

I tried to pound a smaller socket on it ended up destroying 2 sockets trying that with no luck, Then i tried to cut a slot across the head of it and using a screw driver to take it out broke the end off a screwdriver and bent another, It was really in there tight no wounder they stripped it was way way overtightened, then i got my pathfinder into the welding area at work. (that is a hole story of its own was more technical then most trails lol) when i got it back to the welding area I went to weld a bolt to the end of it and found that there is not enough room to get the welder tip and the bolt in there right i tried but ended up putting a weld nob on top and bottom of the bolt head but the other bolt broke right off as i only could weld it at 2 small points. Then i looked at it and saw i had welded on 2 nice wings on the opposite sides. I went down to k-mart and bought one of those gator grip sockets you see on tv. I thought what the heck worst thing worse i waste the 10 dollars on it. got home and tried it could not get it to loosen with a 1/2 ratchet and a extension bar 4 leverage on the back. So i went and grabbed my impact and a adapter put the gatorgrip thing on it and went for it, The inpact did the impact jarring thing for a long time but wasn't losing its grip so i just keep the button down after about 2 min it started coming and came right out. The gator grip thing is destroyed a bunch of the pins are bent but it worked:) i will never knock those things again i always use to think they were a joke.

[Precise1]

Heat it up with a torch, bang on it with a hammer, let it cool a bit and spray on a good penetrant spray (not WD-40), go to the hardware store and get a set or the correct size of these...

 

http://blog.bt-andf.com/blog/remove-stripp...olt/0/0/toolman

 

I have the first version, made by Sears.

 

If that doesn't get it out, start drilling and grinding...

 

B

 

Just a simple write up I found, shows the set I have and mentions a few other tricks.

 

http://www.jonfleck.com/2009/02/03/how-to-...bolts-and-nuts/

 

This would have done the same thing out of the gate.

 

Yeah, I have a gator grip socket for GP and they can work, but I generally just use the right socket. Never thought about using one with an impact gun though...

 

B