Help Identify and Use This Bed Part

I am new to owning a truck. I have this sliding bed rail part that looks like a pull system and is supposed to attached to the side bed rails. I have two of these parts on my truck bed. One of the parts holds firmly, and the other doesn't.

Please help me with the following:

- What is this part?
- Why doesn't one of them hold well/firmly?
- Do I need to replace or fix the part?
- What is the use of this part?

Thank you!
(see pictures below)

 

That's a bed rail tie down. It fits into the rail around the top of the bed at certain spots. More it sideways a bit and tighten the big nut.

 

Thanks! When I turn the knob it makes no difference in tightening it. The knob turns and the spring does tighten/loosen but it makes no different in the part holding on the rail firmly.

 

It's called a bed cleat it is made to go in the side rails of the truck the screw in the middle tightens and loosens to be able to take it off and on and adjust it to where you want it

 

Also, I will add that I tried to turn that metal part to be straight and was unable to.

 

Bed cleat

 

That's because the silver piece of metal on the bottom of rotated 90 degrees and it cant hold itself in the rail like that. It may be broken or there may be a way to rotate it. I just spent a minute trying to rotate one of mine and Im not sure if it can be done.

 

Try this and watch video

http://bfy.tw/2E6X

 

There is a plastic piece at the end of each bed rail. Slide them out and then slide the cleat in. Then replace the plastic end piece. Then you can slide the cleat anywhere on the rail that you want it. It should lock into a slot every 3-4" along the rail. To get it tight, You may have to push on the wheel at the same time as you are turning it. Once it's tight, the wheel will kind of slip, similar to when you have the gas cap tightened all the way.

 

Wont work because the locking mechanism on the cleat is knocked 90 degrees out.

 

I just pulled mine out. It rotates.

 

Interesting, but good news for OP. I couldn't get mine to rotate.

 

When working properly, the cleats are made to be able to be inserted without removing the plastic rail caps.