Stuck cargo rail torx bolt removal

Searched, but found no helpful threads.

I have a new Access bed cover sitting in my garage, but cannot install it until I figure out how to remove the rear-most cargo track mounting bolt from the truck bed. The torx head was already damaged when I attempted to remove it, and is worse now. The bolt is frozen about halfway out. I cannot screw it in or out. I have sprayed PB Blaster on it.

I have a set of bolt extractors that are designed specifically for this purpose, but I am wary of causing damage to the captive nut (or whatever else the threaded portion on the bed may be) and whatever expensive repairs may result from being too brutal with it. All of the other bolts came out easily, and I reinstalled them with some anti-sieze compound until I can figure this out.

Has anyone else been here? Is there a way to access the back side of the threaded piece of the bed to clean and lube from that side? Pictures would be helpful.

Mike

 

On the side rail or front?

Id get under the truck, look up into the fender/bed gap and see if u can find the nut welded on the back (use a light obviously)

Now, as far as I know, the top plastic piece can be taken off also....this might make things easier to get to from the top.

Im on my phone right now and searching doesn't work..it just closes the search box.

If u can, type in "bedside removal" or "fender removal"......see if 1 of those threads that come up show what im referring to as far as the very top plastic bedrail cover goes.

If its the front rail, the weldnuts will be hard to get to if u break the weld....if the bolt doesn't break, then u can just rethread it.

And u want to be using an easy out for torx and allens.......I assume that's what u have?

The rounded head bolt extractors that fit OVER a bolt head wont work, or atleast not well with the shallow tapered head and round edges.

 

Google results are poor

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/112417-removal-bedside-fender.html

 

The problem bolt is the rear-most one on the right side cargo rail. Assuming it is the same as the left side, it goes through a hole in the plastic bedrail cover, making it impossible to remove the cover without damaging it. It looks like I may be able to access the back side by removing the storage bin and/or tail light assembly. Removing the rear wheel well liner might also provide access, but seems like a larger job.

I have both the extractors that fit over the bolt head and easy outs. Easy outs are a royal pain for small diameter bolts like this.

Mike

 

Gotcha.........keep us posted.

Id spin it and hope it broke the weldnut.....then get a replacement bolt and nylock nut/washer/lockwasher and resecure the new hardware that way.....this is assuming the weldnut is just tacked lightly on.

If not, bedside removal and an angle grinder or dremel should get this done quickly.

Srry man

 

I had the same issue but on the frt pass side. I drilled the head off removed the track and the rest came out easily. If you cut the head off remove the track maybe with a stud remover or vise grips you can get the rest out. If you remove the storage will that help to get to the threads to spray more pb blaster on

 

Thanks for the suggestions. I have a carpenter coming to the house for most of the day today and need to help him. I'll launch into the truck repair tomorrow morning, beginning with removal of the storage bin to clean and lube the bolt threads from the back side. I definitely do not want to break whatever welds are holding the captive nut.

Mike

 

Got it done this morning. I removed the right-side storage bin and hit the back side with a wire brush and some PB Blaster. I was able to work the bolt out with only a torx screwdriver - no extractor, ez out, drilling or cutting required.

Access Limited tonneau: Installed

Mike

 

Awesome nice job

 

Glad ya got it out.
Alot of the time I like to spray fasteners down a week or so prior to working on. I deal with tons of jacked up bolts and so on at work. For future reference, I will take a drift and knock the bolt heads with a 3 pound hammer(without damaging mind you) That tends to knock it loose if frozen. Spray it down again and have patience.
Heat always works but ya can't always heat due to location.
Just food for thought. Have a good one!
P.s....also, if a fastener is damaged you can always weld a nut to the to of it and then use a socket to bust her loose!

 

All good techniques, and I have used every one of them at one time or another. When I'm not driving the Tacoma, I wrench on 5 (yes FIVE) Volkswagen vans. Misery...

Mike

 

Lol, yeah I could imagine!