Knock the rest of what off? The bracket? The bracket will come off without the bolt heads, but what I'm asking is how you'd reinstall the bracket now that the 2 bolt holes are jammed with busted bolts. Easy out? I don't think so, if the bolt head snapped off from being rusted solid.

 

...new Toyota.

 

To fix it right you need to replace the nut strips or remove them and use some mechanics wire and drop carriage bolts in like you were installing a hitch receiver and didn't use nut strips. End of story.

 

From page 3. This has already been answered several times. I can't believe this is 6 pages long and still not resolved. These threads are like the Twilight Zone.

 

This is why "these" threads end up deleted eventually. It becomes pointless after a while. LOL.

 

He was referring to the U-bolt you already removed. A coat hanger is not going to be a permanent solution, unless you are okay with replacing it often.

 

Tried this job for the third time tonight, and gave up yet again.

As I was spinning the bolts loose, I was hearing CRUNCHING of that nut strip with each turn.
No big deal, I figured, since the holes of the 2 bolts should be protected from the elements.
I figured, if I was unable to re-thread the bolt into the nut strip, I could just toss the bracket in the garbage, and tie the tailpipe to the leaf spring.

But, since the bolt was so hard to spin, I started to seriously doubt I could ever get the bolt back in. I had to use a breaker bar even after 10 turns.
Might not be able to spin it hard enough for it to catch.
Once I noticed that the gas tank shield was also held up by the 2 bolts, I decided this is a job for a professional.
Now, I'd have to hold the nut strip down while trying to thread 2 through moving parts, and I can't zip tie the gas tank shield.

This is a 2 man job, b/c you need 4 hands.
One to hold down the end of the nut strip.
One to spin the ratchet
One to stabilize the ratchet extension bar
One to help align the bracket and tank shield in place while installing.

Hung it with coat hanger wire for the 3rd time and went back in, defeated.

 

It is only a two man job if the other guy has to hold your beer. Lay your tools where you will be able to reach them with one hand, lay on ground under and slightly too side of where you are working and don't forget goggles or face mask use 2 hands to align heat shield, hold heat shield in place with 1 hand and pickup the hanger bracket with other hand and line up the holes. push into unirail with 1 hand and grab bolt, gently insert bolt into hole and spin clockwise until you get thread engagement, finger tighten until you are sure it won't fall out under force of gravity, grab second bolt with 1 hand and follow same procedure as first bolt, now tighten both bolts with fingers until they become difficult, now both hands should be free to pick up ratchet with extension and socket already mounted, tighten both bolts more or less evenly so bracket tightens flush with heat shield and unirail and you don't pinch either bolt with heat shield or bracket. Do not use a breaker bar to reinstall the bolts.

 

Please tell me you didn't hang your exhaust off your leaf spring....

 

It only takes one hand to sign on the dotted line for a new rust-free Jeep.

 

I'm in disbelief that this thread is STILL going on. Just undo the ****in bolts dude! Get or make new nutstrips if need be.

 

"I had to use a breaker bar even after 10 turns."

I thought you said you have an impact wrench.

 

But remember, the bolts are blocked!

 

I was able to hold the metal gas tank skid plate, (20 lbs), a tow hitch (25 lbs), and still was able to insert bolts in the holes (there was no nut strips, just few rectangle plates wits square holes for carriage bolts) and put the nuts on them. All with my two hands. Granted I also used both my feet and knees too.

 

LOL

Then how in the phuc did I get mine out with an impact wrench. Hummm