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Broken Skid plate bolt... next step? [FIXED! - Body U-Clip]

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by tenui, Mar 1, 2020.

  1. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:06 PM
    #1
    tenui

    tenui [OP] Well-Known Member

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    Snapped the head off a bolt while removing the skid plate today. First time the skid plate was off on the 2011 TRD with 130k miles. Other three came off easily and I'll be sure to use anti-seize on them.

    I'm at a bit of a decision point though on what to do next. I was going to A) use two nuts as a "jam nut" and bring the move completely through. I'm not able to get the nuts onto the bolt though as it is to close to the cross member. B) center punch the bolt and use an "easy out" and try to bring it all the way thru (the long way) C) vise-grip and try to bring it thru the top (doing so will surely prevent me from then trying option B) or D) take off the whole skid plate bracket and work on removing the bolt off the truck (risk making more of a mess?)

    Been soaking the broken bolt with PB while I decide.

    This is the perfect opportunity to say "You should have done... " BEFORE I do the wrong thing...

    You make the call! (and thanks in advance) :)

    IMG_0353.jpg
     
  2. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #2
    joeyv141

    joeyv141 Well-Known Member

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    Considering how much is sticking out the top ide remove the part, put it in a vise and use vice grips on it. Heat up the nut so it's easier to get out.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2020
  3. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:09 PM
    #3
    six5crèéd

    six5crèéd Shop Time

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    Is there a hole where it can go into if you try to screw it through with vise grips?
     
  4. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:12 PM
    #4
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

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    If you got a decent breaker bar or impact wrench, remove the brace (4 big bolts) and work it on a bench and/or drill press.

    Otherwise cut the exposed bolt shank with a saw, then drill out the rest.

    Since I have a 3rd gen and take the skid off at every oil change, I swapped the bolts with stainless and use Fluid Film on the threads (better corrosion protection than anti-seize).
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2020
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  5. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:22 PM
    #5
    tenui

    tenui [OP] Well-Known Member

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    I'm leaning toward removing the bracket and working it off the truck. Chances of me snapping the head off of one of those bolts? :)
     
  6. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:24 PM
    #6
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    you can completely pry off the broken piece with the welded nut by levering a large screwdriver against the frame and pop the whole thing off, I replaced the weldnut with these GM bodyclips I got at ACE hardware and used new Toyota bolts. You can get these at ACE hardware 4 clips(they call the GM body clips same metric size as the Toyota studs and screws) and 4 bolts I pryed all my broken studs off and used them, pain in the ass to try and bore and retap the old ones, slip the clips onto the frame and bolt uphttps://www.ebay.com/i/223072433046...MIpayTqML65wIVi5-zCh2NuA1rEAQYBSABEgLrT_D_BwE
     
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    #6
    tenui[OP] likes this.
  7. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:29 PM
    #7
    08TacoTrD

    08TacoTrD Well-Known Member

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    I'd bend it down and keep working it out with a set of vice grips.

    Reinstall all screws with a bit of oil to keep them from rusting.
     
    Last edited: Mar 1, 2020
  8. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:33 PM
    #8
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    mine eventually broke off the weldnut from the frame completely when I tried to tap and die, then twist out the broke stud, its a Royal pain in the ass, I just busted them weldnuts off the frame theres a hole in the frame where can use a nut/lockwasher/bolt, I used those clips they slip onto the frame and stay put when u want to remove the skid plate
     
  9. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:37 PM
    #9
    redz80

    redz80 Well-Known Member

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    When mine broke it was the welds holding the nut on the brace. I ended up removing the factory nuts and had new 3/8" nuts welded on properly and I now keep the bolts coated well with anti seize.
     
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  10. Mar 1, 2020 at 4:39 PM
    #10
    JdevTac

    JdevTac Bawnjourno

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    I wouldn’t waste my time. The bolts are pretty wimpy steel I’d drill and then follow up with a tap.
     
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  11. Mar 1, 2020 at 6:12 PM
    #11
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

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    10% :) If you can get them moving, they should come out, but the threads will fight you the full way through. On my old truck, I used an 1/2" impact wrench (350 ft-lb rating) and all came out without breaking. The bolts saw 8 salty winters. Be sure to have replacement bolts on hand because you wouldn't want to re-use them. They are M12x1.25 thread, about 30mm long.
    Get zinc-plated ones if you can. The black oxide finish will rust through after one winter. https://www.amazon.com/uxcell-a17011200ux0928-Metal-Pannel-U-Type/dp/B071NP3Q9L/
     
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    #11
  12. Mar 1, 2020 at 6:29 PM
    #12
    nd4spdbh

    nd4spdbh Well-Known Member

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    shoot the 3 big bolts with some penetrating oil so you can remove the bracket. Clamp the fuck outta the end of that bolt in a vise and spin the hole piece off the short way.
     
  13. Mar 1, 2020 at 8:53 PM
    #13
    6 gearT444E

    6 gearT444E Certified Electron Pusher

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    take the bracket off, try to remove the bolt from the other side with vice grips.
    If that doesn't work, grind the bolt head flush on the other side, drill through it, then re-tap.
    If that doesn't work, I have a new one of those brackets I'll send to you for the cost of shipping.
     
  14. Mar 2, 2020 at 5:21 AM
    #14
    3JOH22A

    3JOH22A Toyota Gigolo

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    tenui's challenge would be removing the brace from the frame. Once it's out, getting the broken screw out of the weld nut on the brace is relatively easy. If the four M12 bolts don't budge, then the next easiest thing would be to chisel off the weld nut and put a clip-on panel nut in its place.
     
  15. Mar 2, 2020 at 6:43 AM
    #15
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    I never thought of removing that brace/frame for more easy access getting out those broke studs, although the weldnuts really have a good tendency to break or pop off the weld when applying pressure when drilling them out, really a crappy situation I would think a bigger thicker screw would be better than the factory screws when it comes to this.
     
  16. Mar 2, 2020 at 6:46 AM
    #16
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    zinc clips great idea!
     
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  17. Mar 2, 2020 at 7:25 AM
    #17
    tenui

    tenui [OP] Well-Known Member

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    The exposed section of the broken bolt is actually too long to come out the top. Its hitting the cross member. If I force it, it most definitely will break the welded nut off the bracket. Looks like "D) remove the bracket and work it off the truck" is the next step.

    Not trying to make this out to be more than it is... just thought folks might find it interesting to see a snowballing project in real time. Remember, this all started with the serpentine belt. :)

    Out of curiosity, are the large M12 bolts holding the bracket on connected to a "welded nut" on the other side??? Doh! :)
     
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  18. Mar 2, 2020 at 7:55 AM
    #18
    Tah-koh-mah

    Tah-koh-mah Well-Known Member

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    Why haven't I thought of those clips. Brilliant idea. I've also stripped/broke 3 of the skid bolts and have just never got around to dealing with them. Now I can just cut those damn nuts off and just use these clips with new bolts. Thanks!
     
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    tenui[OP] and BillsSR5[QUOTED] like this.
  19. Mar 2, 2020 at 8:02 AM
    #19
    BillsSR5

    BillsSR5 Looking out for #1

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    my brother came up with the idea of using those clips because I was at a lose on how to fix those dam broken studs(all 4) I soaked them for days with PB Blaster and took it real easy trying to get them out they all snapped off. the clips are the way to go unless you remove the whole frame/bracket off the truck but theres still as chance the weldnuts will snap off during the retapping. if you do it just get a big standard screwdriver or flatbar/crowbar and lever against the frame and pry off the weldnuts they will pop off with some easy pressure and slip the clips onto the frame line up the holes on the skid,done forever.
     
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  20. Mar 2, 2020 at 8:11 AM
    #20
    Tah-koh-mah

    Tah-koh-mah Well-Known Member

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    So I don't have to cut them off, a big prybar will do the trick? Are the welds on those nuts that weak? The broken bolts are still in the nut. Will it still work with a prybar?
     

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