Body bolt compromised issue?

[LLRubylady]

i have a question regarding the body bolts that need to be loosened/removed to add steps and other mods. When you put them back in, they obviously don’t go back in all the way due to the thickness of bracket or whatever is being mounted. Does this compromise the bolts in any dangerous way? And I assume locktite should be redone when tightening back up?
I really didn’t think much about it when I preferred the RSE steps. Then I read about the snapping bolts.
is it best to avoid anything that messes with these bolts?

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[RockyMtnHigh]

The thickness of whatever you bolted up won't affect the bolts, you've still got plenty of thread engagement. Locktite would be a good precaution

 

[JoeValkIS]

Lisa, I have posted this before and I had plenty of issues with my body bolts...including breaking the first one I tried to remove and the dealer refusing to take my money to remove the others to install my steps. I had tried several other times to remove different ones and was always afraid of breaking another one. What finally done it for me was a little heat. I took my heat gun, put it on high, and pointed it at the head of the bolt for a few minutes then checked the temperature with a IR Temp Gauge. Once I had the head to about 200F, I started loosening the bolts. They all came right out without any concerns.

As Corey mentioned, putting locktite back on the threads is a good idea as is torquing the bolts to the specified rating (80 lbs sticks in my head for some reason).

The body bolts are WAY long...much longer than I thought they would be. Seriously, the bolt is about 4-6" long. I wouldn't worry about the thickness of the steps mounting affecting the bolt holding everything together.

Hope this helps.

 

[LLRubylady]

Lisa, I have posted this before and I had plenty of issues with my body bolts...including breaking the first one I tried to remove and the dealer refusing to take my money to remove the others to install my steps. I had tried several other times to remove different ones and was always afraid of breaking another one. What finally done it for me was a little heat. I took my heat gun, put it on high, and pointed it at the head of the bolt for a few minutes then checked the temperature with a IR Temp Gauge. Once I had the head to about 200F, I started loosening the bolts. They all came right out without any concerns.

As Corey mentioned, putting locktite back on the threads is a good idea as is torquing the bolts to the specified rating (80 lbs sticks in my head for some reason).

The body bolts are WAY long...much longer than I thought they would be. Seriously, the bolt is about 4-6" long. I wouldn't worry about the thickness of the steps mounting affecting the bolt holding everything together.

Hope this helps.

Thanks. That is good to know.
I am going to have my steps installed when I find someone willing to tackle it. I’ll give them a heads up about heating to ease loosening. I thought hubby and I could tackle it but he says too much for us to do.

 

[JoeValkIS]

Thanks. That is good to know.
I am going to have my steps installed when I find someone willing to tackle it. I’ll give them a heads up about heating to ease loosening. I thought hubby and I could tackle it but he says too much for us to do.

It really isn't that hard to do...and except for maybe some wiring, wouldn't require too much in tools to accomplish. I did use a 1/2" breaker bar and 18mm socket to get mine off. Since I have different sliders (that don't include the power down step), I didn't have to do any wiring. And you don't have to worry about the body shifting or anything because there are at 4 more bolts holding it down to the frame...and you won't be driving it with those bolts removed.

With that said...cudos to the hubby and you for knowing your limits and not get yourself into trouble digging in deeper than you can handle. I know my limits and have pushed them a few times...but when you break something (oh...like a body bolt) and you don't have the tools or knowledge to get the broken bolt out...it is time to pay the piper (or dealer in this case) and let them do it.

I see you are from NY...have you reached out to other forum members in your area to see who they would recommend? How about a local Jeep Club? Usually clubs have discounts worked out with different vendors.

 

[Jondrew]

I chose to buy new bolts because I’d become convinced from the posts here the heating and torquing might compromise them. They can be had from a dealer for about $40 and come with loctite (threadlocker) already applied. Red (high strength) for the fronts, blue (medium strength) for the other two). They get re-torqued to 80 ft-pounds.

 

[Tunesoul]

Lisa, I have posted this before and I had plenty of issues with my body bolts...including breaking the first one I tried to remove and the dealer refusing to take my money to remove the others to install my steps. I had tried several other times to remove different ones and was always afraid of breaking another one. What finally done it for me was a little heat. I took my heat gun, put it on high, and pointed it at the head of the bolt for a few minutes then checked the temperature with a IR Temp Gauge. Once I had the head to about 200F, I started loosening the bolts. They all came right out without any concerns.

As Corey mentioned, putting locktite back on the threads is a good idea as is torquing the bolts to the specified rating (80 lbs sticks in my head for some reason).

The body bolts are WAY long...much longer than I thought they would be. Seriously, the bolt is about 4-6" long. I wouldn't worry about the thickness of the steps mounting affecting the bolt holding everything together.

Hope this helps.

92 ft lbs.

 

[JoeValkIS]

92 ft lbs.

Maybe I need to go back and check my bolts. LOL

 

[Tunesoul]

Hope this helps.

 

[Tunesoul]

Maybe I need to go back and check my bolts. LOL

I believe it is 80 ft lbs for the JK body mount bolts.

 

[Jondrew]

I believe it is 80 ft lbs for the JK body mount bolts.

Ace said 80. Not sure there’s any point to snugging them up to 92 at this point. I have new bolts with new loctite I don’t think they’re going anywhere.

 

[RubiRob]

Hope this helps.

Sweet thank you, literally putting on my @ROCK HARD 4X4 siders after my run today. Are all three of these bolts on each side with loctite?

 

[Rhinebeck01]

No way I would do 92 ft/lb.

Yup, do 80.

If you are concerned about loosening, do markings so you can see if bolt head moves over time / in the future.

 

[Jondrew]

Sweet thank you, literally putting on my @ROCK HARD 4X4 siders after my run today. Are all three of these bolts on each side with loctite?

Front has red (high strength), other two blue (med).

 

[RubiRob]

Front has red (high strength), other two blue (med).

So just warm all up. Ugh, it's 34 in my garage right now.

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