FJ Cruisers of Northern California

Threads Behaving Badly... Mounting Sliders

So... I spent a good chunk of Saturday morning installing some Trail Gear rock sliders… And everything went fairly smoothly. A bit awkward—but mostly painless.

So I get down to my last bolt of the install (topmost driver's side bolt) and I just CAN'T get the dang bolt to thread. I'd like to think I'm moderately wrench savvy… but this was driving me nuts! I don't know if the threads got jacked or what... it just wont take!

Suggestions anyone? Anyone in the South San Jose area want to take a look?

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Permalink Reply by 5AND5TORM on October 5, 2009 at 9:28am

You probably just need to run a tap through it (8mm x 1.25 I think). It is a good idea to do this to all of them before the install, paint on the frame clogs up the threads. Also don't tighten the rest of the bolts all the way until you get all of them in, this gives you some wiggle room.

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Permalink Reply by Botched on October 5, 2009 at 9:41am

Cool. Thanks for the suggestion. I'm assuming I just pick up a tap my local OSH...? And yes... I did try not tightening all the bolts first... but didn't help in this case. Thanks again!

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Permalink Reply by manoweb on October 5, 2009 at 10:05am

I have the VERY same problem with DeMello sliders. I ended up... leaving that bolt behind.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on October 5, 2009 at 10:15am

does it even line up ??

You may have to make the hole in the sliders bigger for clearance..

Also dude like 5AND says and run a tap through it

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Permalink Reply by Botched on October 5, 2009 at 11:08am

Yeah... it lines up... I can JUST barely start the thread by hand... but when I try to socket it... it doesn't take. I'll try to tap tonight. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Bz on October 5, 2009 at 11:52am

Another thing to remember is when bolting up rock rails, skids, exhaust pipes, headers, (hell almost everything) is to start all the bolts a little bit to make sure everything lines up then crank'em tight

Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Sonof40 on October 5, 2009 at 11:10am

I think some misalignment happens to most sliders during the welding process. I had to increase the size of all the holes slightly to make the install easier. But chasing the threads is a must.

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Permalink Reply by Boss73 on October 5, 2009 at 11:52am

Thats is what I thought was going on.. Maybe there is just mud or dirt in the hole..

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Permalink Reply by magicthechemist on October 5, 2009 at 6:25pm

Bz and I have similar problem when installing my sliders couple of days ago. There was a piece of welding or some other hard stuff inside the bolt hole. Bz managed to remove it with a knife or something hard (I dont remember exactly).

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Permalink Reply by Botched on October 5, 2009 at 8:27pm

Thanks everybody! I picked up an 8mm-1.25 tap... and that did the trick! My sliders are no longer hanging by 7 out of 8 bolts!

Ready for some rocks now...