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I’ve been working on replacing my bed floor and while I have it cut I’m working on the tailgate hinges since I have easy access. The hinges are each held on by one bolt with the other bolt having been snapped off at some point. I’m looking to replace the bolts but the threaded plate has the remainder of the broken bolts rusted and seized in the bracket. I can’t find a replacement bracket, any ideas on how to go about fixing this? I can post pictures if it would help.
#43018 is what you are looking for, I think repops are out there. If not, remove the bracket, drill out the broke bolt, retap the threads and go from there.
That part shown on the diagram is the actual hinge.i haven’t been able to get the bracket out to attempt to get the bolts free. I’ll see about posting some pictures tomorrow.
Yes bolt goes thru the bracket and into (what I seem to remember) is a captured nut in the area below the tail light. You might have to cut that part loose and then get in behind the bracket with a Red Diablo sawzall blade and cut it loose. If you can not find one, I have a few setting around.
And for your bed project.
Lowest bolts or uppers broke off? If you get one bolt out, if the other is headless, if you can grind the bolt flush, might be able to slide the hinge into the TG lower far enough to pry the ear over the broken part clear. Might need to remove the bumper for access. A helper will help, TGs can be a handful.
Was just able to get a pic of the bracket that the hinge bolts into. This is looking from the cab side of the bed where the crossmember will be inserted when the bed floor is welded in. Above that bracket is the taillight assembly. You can see the broken bolt at the bottom of the image the other one is rusted and seized. The bracket is held in place by the metal piece that is centered in the bracket. That piece is welded onto the bed. (The picture was taken in that area where the cross member will be sitting when welded in place. I can’t get a saw in there or any tools to dislodge that bracket.)
I bet since the bottom bolt is broke you might try to come up from under and go in between the bracket (that the bolts go thru). with a sturdy pry bar. And try and pry the bottom enough to break loose the middle bracket retaining strap. Probable going to have to rip the head of the seized bolt out. Might end up having to nut and bolt the bracket back on. Tricky spot to work in for sure.
Thanks for the input, I’ll see if I can get to it from below, thinking I might have to drill out the spot welds holding that strap on and move forward from there. I’ll let yall know how progress goes
