Front Bumper Reinforcement Removal

Hi All,

The past owner of the Tacoma I have snapped the front skid plate screws that go into what I think are two reinforcements for the front bumper and I snapped another one. So I want to remove them temporarily for easier access so I can remove the snapped screws. These aren't structural right and are safe to remove right? They seem to go from part of the frame to another part of frame.

 

Remove these all the time for more room to work on rack and pinions/sway bars etc.
no issue to take them out to do some fixing

 

I would just heat those nuts with a map gas torch and get them red hot. Then grab the part of the bolt sticking up through the top and twist them out through the top with a pair of visegrips. I do it that way all the time.

 

Yes, you can remove them to make access to the bolts easier.
Replace all of your skid plate bolts with grade 8. You can find them at Tractor Supply or something like that. Take the piece in with you to make sure you get the right ones. I THINK they are 8mm x 1.25, but verify. Put a little grease or anti seize on them before you reinstall.

 

Thanks for the wisdom. Unfortunately, I saw this too late and instead drilled them out and mangled them like a neanderthal. One of them I manage to get right through the middle, but the other one I nicked the threads. I think I am going to have to re-tap the inserts with a larger size screw thread. I was thinking I could temporarily use stainless steel cable ties to hold the skid plate up until I have enough time to tap them (never tapped anything, so I need to buy the taps, figure out how to use em right etc.)