Bolts off! Here's how!
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Senior User
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 311
Likes: 0
From: Walla Walla USA
Bolts off! Here's how!
Okay...I am working on a 56 f-100 and the running boards as well as the bed are attached by rusted bolts with round tops. I tried everything but since the running boards are good I wanted to keep them...so no torching to warp metal or destroy them.
So....I went to Sears, got a cutting metal kit for my Dremmel and worked on the top of the round bolt head...not the nut. I sliced a slot on the top right down the middle. Then I could use a large slotted screwdriver in the bolt and a ratchet underneath. They came off in no time. If one was particularily stuck I just drilled a cross slot and knocked the top head off all together. Viloa!!!
So....I went to Sears, got a cutting metal kit for my Dremmel and worked on the top of the round bolt head...not the nut. I sliced a slot on the top right down the middle. Then I could use a large slotted screwdriver in the bolt and a ratchet underneath. They came off in no time. If one was particularily stuck I just drilled a cross slot and knocked the top head off all together. Viloa!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 13,873
Likes: 3
From: Atlanta GA
Bolts off! Here's how!
The only thing I really wanted to save from my bed was the fenders, so I took the bed off, flipped it over, notched the tops of the carriage bolts with a cutoff tool, stuck a big craftsman screwdriver in the slot, and took an impact swivel socket to the nuts.
Also, one trick that worked for some was hitting the nut with the impact and then wedging the screwdriver under the bolts to apply pressure or sticking a smaller one right into the hole to keep the bolt from spinning.
For some that were too hard to get at, I took a sawzall with a six inch metal blade and slide it between the fender and body and just cut the bolt in two and knocked out the respective pieces with a screwdriver and 32oz. Ford wrench.
Also, one trick that worked for some was hitting the nut with the impact and then wedging the screwdriver under the bolts to apply pressure or sticking a smaller one right into the hole to keep the bolt from spinning.
For some that were too hard to get at, I took a sawzall with a six inch metal blade and slide it between the fender and body and just cut the bolt in two and knocked out the respective pieces with a screwdriver and 32oz. Ford wrench.
