Snapped Bed Bolts

[lil_Blue_Ford]

I'm with you. When it's light out I'll give a hammer a good go, and then just roll with 5 bolts until I get around to dropping the tank.

Thanks fellas!

I rolled around with just the back four bolts for years because the front of my bed was rotted, lol. It’s definitely not ideal, but it can be done.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Okay one I've learned not to talk in two threads at once.
Two back to the issue at hand.
I can see in the picture that it appears you can get a flat head screwdriver between the frame rail and the clip that's holding the bolt in place. Before doing anything else please put a screwdriver in there and see if you can get it to move. Pry it up see if the bolt moves with the clip.

If you've already done that or know that the bolt does move let me know and I'll tell you what else I would try.

 

[tomryan31]

Okay one I've learned not to talk in two threads at once.
Two back to the issue at hand.
I can see in the picture that it appears you can get a flat head screwdriver between the frame rail and the clip that's holding the bolt in place. Before doing anything else please put a screwdriver in there and see if you can get it to move. Pry it up see if the bolt moves with the clip.

If you've already done that or know that the bolt does move let me know and I'll tell you what else I would try.

Oh yeah, for sure. The whole thing bounces all over the place in there. It's just too big to get out and too big for me to get anything other than the oscillating tool in there (and that just damaged blades )

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Oh yeah, for sure. The whole thing bounces all over the place in there. It's just too big to get out and too big for me to get anything other than the oscillating tool in there (and that just damaged blades )

Just a silly thought… but were you trying to cut the bolt itself or the threaded part of the clip with the oscillating tool? Both are going to be hardened but the clip will be spring steel which is usually a little hard on cutting equipment. Using anything less than a grinder or torch, I’d be aiming for the bolt where it comes out of the threaded part of the clip, that will make the remainder short enough to be fished out

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Okay can you get a small tipped metal chisel in between the frame rail and the cab mount tab?

I'm thinking if you just try and Hammer the bolt through the edges of the clip that are laying on the frame rail are going to fight against you. If you can cut those off of the threaded part of the clip you'll be better off.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Okay I'm pretty sure I'm caught up with this thread.

 

[tomryan31]

Okay can you get a small tipped metal chisel in between the frame rail and the cab mount tab?

I'm thinking if you just try and Hammer the bolt through the edges of the clip that are laying on the frame rail are going to fight against you. If you can cut those off of the threaded part of the clip you'll be better off.

Maybe could work. I'll give her a go

@lil_Blue_Ford found that out the hard way when I started cutting clips. 3 of my 6 bed bolts had originally snapped lol. Yeah the bolt still butchered blades unfortunately

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

Remember visegrips are your friend. Use them to hold the bolt still as you use anything to try and remove parts of the clip.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Maybe could work. I'll give her a go

@lil_Blue_Ford found that out the hard way when I started cutting clips. 3 of my 6 bed bolts had originally snapped lol. Yeah the bolt still butchered blades unfortunately

Like I said, silly thought, lol. But I’ve been known to overlook something at first glance before so I just thought to cover all bases.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

lil_Blue_Ford I think you've contributed to the conversation very well.

 

[Curious Hound]

Lets consult with an expert on this...

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

I think Curious Hound, thinks I'm a crazy know it all. lmao.

 

[ShhhhhDougsHere]

I'm sure he's not the only one.

 

[Curious Hound]

Unless I'm misunderstanding the situation, it still seems like a good-sized hammer and punch ought to knock that through the hole. But maybe I'm not comprehending the picture quite right. Y'all carry on. Ignore me. I'm just watching.

 

[sgtsandman]

Probably doesn’t help that I’m just chilling here on my tablet with good internet just pounding it out, lol

Just wait till I switch over to the laptop

Aaaaand I'm off to the quote thread!...