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 Botched on February 23, 2010 at 5:45pm

ha ha... For me, I did the cardboard box-trick. I just stacked the boxes and was able to put the sliders at roughly the right height…

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Permalink Reply by bkreece on February 23, 2010 at 9:07pm

Thanks Botched, for posting this question and everyone else for responding. I will be installing a set of TG sliders this week, the info on this thread will definately come in handy!

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Permalink Reply by DWH on February 23, 2010 at 9:28pm

One trick I have used a few times is to get a round Dremel tool wire brush close to the size of the bolt hole and spin it through the threads in the hole. I usually use a cordless drill as it spins slower. After that, blow it out with some compressed air and they good as new. This won't fix a damaged thread, but it cleans them up really well.

I have used this method to clean up the threaded holes in the frame of the FJ several times. If the threads start out clean, they are less likely to get damaged when you try to put the bolt in.