Removing bed bolts
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Norfolk, VA
Removing bed bolts
Need to remove my bed to install a utility body next week. I tried to loosen the bed bolts, broke 2 torx bits. My question is, can I just grind the bolt head off? get the bed off, then grind whats left of the bolt?
The reason i ask is because I tried this on my 1985 and the bolts were oddly shaped.
The reason i ask is because I tried this on my 1985 and the bolts were oddly shaped.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
I had to grind the heads off two of the bed bolts on my 04'. The bolts seize fast to the captured nut clips that are on the frame. I used an angle grinder with a flap abrasive wheel and slowly worked it down trying to avoid digging into the bed itself. Worked pretty good. Once the head was off you can lift the bed straight up.
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 780
Likes: 0
You might also want to try a Torx + bit since they are Torx + bolts. Torx + bits and bolts are a LOT better than standard Torx. Torx bits will sometimes work with Torx + bolts, but it is NOT a good fit and can easily break the bit if the bolt is tight.
You might want to double check for the size, but I believe that this is it:
Alternately, here is a set:
http://www.acument.com/products/comparison/
You might want to double check for the size, but I believe that this is it:
Alternately, here is a set:
http://www.acument.com/products/comparison/
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
it is a Torx+ 50 i am almost positive i bought one off of amazon but cant check my order right now. it was almost 9 bucks.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: South Jersey
If you live in a salt zone forget about penetrating oil etc. ive removed four Ford beds ranging from 2000-2009 and no amount of PB Blaster, fluid film etc helped. Broke countless torx + bits and finally just removed the gas tanks and torched the bolts off. If your good with a torch you wont do any type of damage to the truck frame
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 10,101
Likes: 40
From: Pa
Penetrating oil did not really do much on mine and like I said I still had to cut the heads off two. Over the course of a week they got drenched with penetrating oil half a dozen times or more. I even tried some heat on the stuck ones. After breaking half a dozen torx bits grinder came out.
The Torx bit size is too small and the bolts form the threads which gall easy and then they rust fast. Another bad design just to facilitate quick assembly at the plant.
The Torx bit size is too small and the bolts form the threads which gall easy and then they rust fast. Another bad design just to facilitate quick assembly at the plant.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 170
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From: Alberta, Canada
On my 01 a few years ago, I took a 1" nut, scribed the shape onto the bolt head, zip disk in grinder to cut the head the shape of the 1" nut, 1" impact socket on ratchet with a 4 foot snipe, all 8 out with LOTS of effort, didn't break a single one!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: Alberta, Canada
Thats an easy one, I don't have a torch!
Also, In my case the bed was going back on, so I wanted to reuse the hardware.
Also, In my case the bed was going back on, so I wanted to reuse the hardware.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,654
Likes: 20
From: Tewksbury, MA
I didn't even consider trying i just broke out the grinder, its faster IMO if you live up north to cut them and install new ones and potentially cheaper if you end up breaking a few bits and then have to buy a few bolts to replace the stuck ones. After looking i may have been able to get 2 out of the 8 out in the end and new bolts off Ebay are $40 sometimes.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,372
Likes: 14
From: West Cornwall, CT
Last year I was able to remove 2 bed bolts with penetrating oil and an impact. The rest were cut off with a standard plasma cutter.
These bolts were soaked with penetrating oil for several days before attempting to remove them. The stuff that they put on the roads now should be patented for its ability to weld steel parts together.
Lou Braun
These bolts were soaked with penetrating oil for several days before attempting to remove them. The stuff that they put on the roads now should be patented for its ability to weld steel parts together.
Lou Braun