Pro Skid plate bolt binding/spinning need tips

I’m trying to remove my pro skid plate to spray with rust prevention. Yesterday’s attempt One of the middle bolts was about out but kept spinning. I didn’t have time yesterday and I tightened all up to specs. Tried again today and same bolt started binding/making a popping sound again tightened all back up to specs. I didn’t find any directions on removing the skid. I removed the factory plate on my 2019 OR and installed a Mobtown skid and removed/replaced factory at trade and had no problems. Any tips on getting the pro skid off and the bolt out. I must be doing something wrong. Thanks

 

You don't need to spray the pro skid with rust prevention. It's aluminum.

 

The bolts won't be

 

The aluminum is already coated with the gray you see. Unless you planned on stripping that off I think you might be wasting your time.

 

My truck has been through 3 northeast winters and there is not a bit of rust on those bolts. I actually think they might be galvanized but don’t quote me on that. If you plan on changing your own oil remove the access cover and put some anti-seize lubricant on the threads. Those can be a pain to break loose while trying not to strip with the Allen wrench.

 

Maybe he wants to put rust proofing on what the skid covers.....


Anyways. Try adding s9me DOWN pressure on the skid plat as you are trying to unbolt your problem bolt .

If the skid came w the truck AND is under warranty, id take it to the dealership and let them deal with the headache AND fix it. Sounds like it was cross threaded/stripped from the factory.....Id just say i tried taking it off, and this just spins. Best idea imo.

 

Release the jack and use a perbar to put pressure on the bolt. Make sure you have others in a few threads so the thing doesnt pin you underneath

 

Thanks all. Yep I was trying to spray what the skid covers. MN roads get treated with all kinds of crap in the winter. I may try again or bring it to the dealer.

 

I noticed yesterday the spacers on at least the middle bolts are not attached/welded on. Could be a pain to get it back on.

 

Unless they changed something I’ve had mine off and put it back on with no problem other than the weight and awkward work position.

 

Yep, loosen the other bolts until they are just in a few turns and maybe weight of the skid plate will help the bolt out as Ya turn it slowly. If not, stop turning on it and try prying pressure on the skid plate as you loosen the bolt. If Ya have some help, have someone else pry down on the skid as ya loosen the bolt. Anyways, I would try that first. If it still doesn't come out then Ya got a little project. If Ya can get a pry bar under the bolt head, aka flat screw driver (not to be used as a pry bar) and a open/box wrench on it , even better. When I was installing my knock off pro skid plate I am fairly sure I felt one of those middle bolts with the same symptoms. If and when I ever take it off I will be in the same boat. Good Luck and let us know how it's going.

 

Pray it's not a nut inside the frame that the welding has broken loose. I had that happen on a completely different vehicle, and the bolt would spin but never come out. Good luck

 

I had something similar happen to my pro skid. I just went to all other bolts and loosened until I could lower the skid slightly to get tension on the problem bolt. When I came back to it at the end it screwed right out. Hope it’s that easy for you too. Sorry OP

 

Third times a charm. Operator error here. I didn’t use the jack this time and just started loosening all the bolts and then removed the back and middle ones and moved the skid around if it seemed bound up. Used my knees to support it. Also realized an internal lock washer holds the spacer and bolt on - I spun it off yesterday on a bolt on my first attempt and didn’t realize it. Went back on pretty easy using the knee method. Thanks all for the suggestions!

 

The knee method for the win!