I was removing a rear fender this afternoon and one of the bolts spun on me. Fortunately for me I had read the "Tips and Tricks" thread and remembered someone had mentioned tack welding a bolt head to keep it from spinning. It saved me hours of frustration and bad language and only took 5 minutes to set up and accomplish.

Thank you.

By the way the screw type RV levelling jacks are working just fine. I have the truck level from side to side with a little bit of rake towards the front.

I am almost ready to remove the bed. The only problem is the 6 bolts with square holes in their heads. The holes are larger than 1/4 drive and smaller than 3/8 drive. Is there a special tool or should I just grind down and old 3/8 extension and use it to hold them from turning?

 

You can get a 5/16 square bit but they are not easy to find without having someone order it. I just ground down a short 3/8 extension and it worked fine. Doesn't hurt to get underneath and heat the nuts and use lots pf penetrant.

 

Did we mention that we actually enjoy spouting off the profanity from time-to-time ? Not proud of it, but when the BF Hammer hits the Thumb, there arises not-so-sweet music from the Shop

 

hmmm ...... i didnt know i rocked , i thought i just had rocks in my head ..........

 

Don't get me wrong here. I have been known to effuse profanity from time to time. It has been said that profanity is the language that programmers know best!!

Sometimes you just have to say "F*%$ It!!"

 

Sounds like a 5/16" SQ. drive head. You can probably get a SQ. Drive tip socket at a good tool selling place like a good auto parts store, (not ones like AutoZone but maybe NAPA), or an industrial supply place. I have one around here someplace which is part of a small five piece set I think. Grinding down a cheap short 3/8" extension is also a way if you don't mind forfieting it. Get a cheap one at HF and grind it. It will probably come in handy again. Another option is to get an 8 PT. Torx socket of the right size and grind off every other point.

Laterb Man...

 

I've removed these bolts by grinding an 3/8" extension. It worked fine but eventually broke. I removed quite a few of these bolts before it broke.

My panel truck had the same type of bolts, this is where I finally broke off the extension. I didn't want to replace the bolts with the same type with the square bolts because I planned on removing the bolts plus I didn't know if I could get replacement bolts so I ordered a set of button head Allen head bolts from McMaster-Carr. Other than the different holes, the bolts look the same and are easier to tighten using the Allen wrench, no specialt tool. You can get them in a variety of finishes too.

 

I plan to use the button heads for replacements myself. Most likely put them in to hold the fenders also.

Maybe even for the strips holding the wood into the bed too. Some of those are going to give me fits, I can tell just by looking at them.

 

I have just used some 5/16 keyway either with a adjustable or socket. You can buy a foot of keyway at an autoparts store, cut it in 1 inch pieces so it doesnt twist on you, then you have twelve "bits" that you can break.

 

Just remember, if you grind anything down, to make one, grind VERY slowly, letting it cool often - heat will just make it break easier. Swipe, cool, swipe, cool...too many people grind rather quickly, and depending on whether they are making a custom tool, or sharpening a chisel/punch/drill bit, it either breaks or dulls very quickly.

Patience, grasshopper, patience...

I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir, but if ONE person learns something, it's worth the bandwidth...

R

 

Found a one foot chunk of 5/16 bar stock at the NAPA store. It worked well enough to get the old bolts out. Still plan to replace with something more standard than large square hole.