Bed Bolt
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Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2021
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Bed Bolt
I am picking up a Dorman bed bolt install kit. I have wire brushed the frame and ready to install the bed. I noticed on some the brackets that slide over the frame that the bed bolt threads into had grease on the frame. All the brackets except two had grease between the frame and clamp. Maybe to prevent rust or squeaking??? Should I put grease on the brackets when I reinstall?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2015
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I don't think it matters but if there's ANY form of mechanical locking make sure it's not so tight it causes you to round the hex or torx plus heads.
I ALWAYS run a tap through the clip nuts and then use thread lock. I'm a little confused about the apparent concern for keeping the bed bolts from backing out because I don't think this would be a likely occurrence anyway.
I ALWAYS run a tap through the clip nuts and then use thread lock. I'm a little confused about the apparent concern for keeping the bed bolts from backing out because I don't think this would be a likely occurrence anyway.
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Cross-Country
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Well I got the bed off. Was a chore by myself. Got the frame wire brushed and old bed back on with dorman instal kit. Only issue was one bolt, 3rd fro cab driver side stripped. All the bolts are in and torqued down except that one. Any suggestions? I think I could reach the clip without loosening all the other ones, but not sure. Im just leaving the bolt out for know. Good news is the squeaking in gone.
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Cross-Country
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Thanks Buddy. If it wasn't for the forum I probably wouldn't of attempted it. I was wondering if anyone has been able to remove one of the clips without loosening all the other bolts. Im afraid if i loosen the other bolts the c clamps wont compress right again. Ive heard they are one time use and dont want to risk that bed squeak coming back. But yeah your right I will figure it out one way or the other.
Tuned
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 364
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Sorry Hopper, I wasn't much help there. I assume what you are calling C clamps are the big speed nuts that the bed bolts thread into. I had zero issues reusing those, in fact they were easier to run the bed bolt through because the threads were already cut/formed in them. It wouldn't surprise me if the Dorman bed bolts were a different thread though. I assume you want to get the bolt out because it hasn't run down all the way? If it is flush with the bed and just not tight, I would leave it. I ran around for a couple of years with 4 of 8 bolts removed until I got back to my project. If the bolt is not flush to the bed, then just sawzall it off and lift the bed again - I don't think you can do anything meaningful from underneath with the rearmost bed bolts. The new bolts are easily removed because they are not rusted yet. When you lift it again, you can spray your frame with black cosmoline (RP342) which is BEAUTIFUL stuff - it dries to a wax like surface and lasts forever - it is way better than the rust encapsulators. The wire brushing you have already done is enough prep. Spray the bed bolts too once the bed is back on. 2 spray cans are more than enough. Good Luck!
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