HELP removing bed rails! stripped screws...

I just got my access literider cover from fedex and i immediately started to install it. As a started to remove the rails, I found that many of the screws holding the rails on are not coming out. Even with the correct tools, many of the screws are stripped in there. I'm so pissed right now. I lent out my dremmel and dont have a screw extractor with me, so I don't know what to do. You guys have any tips? How the hell am I going to remove the screws to install my cover...?

 

.....worked for me!



http://www.asseenontvandmore.com/grgritdascex.html

 

I'd use an extractor-Knock the heads off those and the studs are going to be a bitch to get out.

 

are the screw alum or steel? I would think if its Alum you can drill it out and the alum should shred itself.

 

What exactly is stripped? The heads of the screws? The threads? Or the nuts are spinning behind the bed? If the heads are srtipped, hacksaw blade behind the rails worked for me. If the threads are gone or the nuts are spinning try popping out the stroage compartments and reaching a hand back there with a set of vice grips to hold the nut. Worst case you may need to gain access to the nuts in the back and vice grip the bolt.

I ran into the same trouble when I swaped my access cover to my new truck. Lesson learned. I replaced the screws for my cover with stainless steel bolts from the hardware store. Good luck.

 

thanks for the advice guys. I ended up picking up some extractors and getting my drill back and eventually got them out and my cover installed. One of the screws took forever... Damn loctite.

 

That happened to me too on one of my screws, stripped the head and it wouldn't budge. I was able to use a needle-nose vice-grip but it took a while. Easy-out just spun in the head.

 

Pictures of the cover my friend, pictures!

 

Bumping this thread back up!

I’ve managed to strip two torx bolt heads (the other bolts were super easy...!) and wondering if it’s possible to loosen them off from the inside? I’ve had the storage box out and have got access but can’t figure out what I need to do to loosen off the inside bolt.

So far from the front I’ve tried an extractor (fail) and cutting a groove for a flathead screw driver (fail!) - these bolts are stuck TIGHT!!

Any ideas?

 

I had problems with two of mine the two in the middle on both sides. I ended up taking the bed rail caps off and getting in there with vice grips to hold the nut steady and slowly worked the screw in and out to break it free

 

Thanks! Sounds like a good option. I’m nearly at the end of my tether on it. My “nuclear” option is to drill the screw head out completely and hope I don’t damage the rails in the process!

 

Hope it works for you. When i got my new tonneau cover i was all gung ho to install it and after getting the first couple out and then you hit that snag and your 1 hour project turns into all afternoon it kills your enthusiasm

 

Yep - sounds so familiar! Thanks!

 

So the answer was to drill them both out. I’m not sure if they came out due to the heat created or the effects of the drill piece. Anyway, bottom line is that they’re out and the new Yakima rack is on!!