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Body bolts and how not to break them.

calin

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Thanks, 2 more questions if you don't mind:

1) will the heat affect the integrity of the bolt? does it need to be changed with a new one?
2) When putting the bolt back on, do you need to apply red thread locker?
 
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DocTwinkie

DocTwinkie

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Doc... Duh.
Thanks, 2 more questions if you don't mind:

1) will the heat affect the integrity of the bolt? does it need to be changed with a new one?
2) When putting the bolt back on, do you need to apply red thread locker?
I did not remove the bolt. Only loosened slightly for my needs. It’s been a year and I’ve not had any issues. I’ve checked the torque on them and there’s been no change.

with tire rotations and oil changes it’s a good idea to re torque. If they loosened any I’d remove and rethreathlock.
 

GtX

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I pulled my body bolts to install RockHard sliders. Hit the a-pillars with a torch. Passenger side was lose with no locktite on it. Installed new bolts because they all the stock bolts looked a little stretched and the threads were worn after removing.
 

Stormin’ Moorman

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I’m 19 out of 20 for not breaking body bolts. Seems like a good record. It is not. :(
 
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Jhawth

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Just in case anyone stumbles across this thread...

I removed the two rear body bolts on both passenger and driver side to install my fab fours rock sliders. All 4 bolts appeared to have maybe a whisper of blue loctite on them. This is on a 21 JLUR built in may 2021.

20210630_190015.jpg
 

blnewt

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Just ask @cosine he knows!
Haven't attempted to remove the JL body bolts but have dealt w/ quite a few large fasteners w/ Red Loctite. Had good luck using a propane torch and an Infra-Red Laser thermometer. Just get the bolt to 600 degrees, might have to heat both ends back and forth, and the nut &/or bolt frees up pretty well. Just do your best to keep the torch tip pretty narrow and concentrated only on the fastener.
And yes, I always use new fasteners when I remove ones that have been dosed w/ the Red Menace :)
 

Rubycon50

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I pulled the body off the frame of my JL. There was a total of 10 bolts. For the really tough bolts my impact gun was struggling and could only budge them a bit. I ended up going to a bar with socket on the end. Turn a bit until it gets hard and then reverse direction a 1/4 to half turn to release the loctite binding in the threads. I did break one bolt and a couple others felt like they were going to twist off as well but I ended up getting them out. I replaced all the bolts with new, expensive, oem bolts. The broken bolt I welded a nut on the end which got the bolt very hot and it came out somewhat easily. I did try a torch and the paint on the underbody started discoloring. If I had to do it again I would not use the breaker bar as the force you can create is destructive on the bolt. I would probably use the torch again and the impact gun. I do think the tool the OP used is the bees knees but it’s probably cost prohibitive for most if you don’t use it again. I still think it’s pretty cool though.
 

blnewt

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I pulled the body off the frame of my JL. There was a total of 10 bolts. For the really tough bolts my impact gun was struggling and could only budge them a bit. I ended up going to a bar with socket on the end. Turn a bit until it gets hard and then reverse direction a 1/4 to half turn to release the loctite binding in the threads. I did break one bolt and a couple others felt like they were going to twist off as well but I ended up getting them out. I replaced all the bolts with new, expensive, oem bolts. The broken bolt I welded a nut on the end which got the bolt very hot and it came out somewhat easily. I did try a torch and the paint on the underbody started discoloring. If I had to do it again I would not use the breaker bar as the force you can create is destructive on the bolt. I would probably use the torch again and the impact gun. I do think the tool the OP used is the bees knees but it’s probably cost prohibitive for most if you don’t use it again. I still think it’s pretty cool though.
You putting on a body lift, just curious why you had to remove all the body bolts. Sounds like a fun time :( What do those OEM bolts run if you don't mind me asking?
 

Rubycon50

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The bolts were one of the few items I purchased direct from the dealer, in-person, which means I don’t have the receipt anymore. I think I ended up paying about $80 for eight bolts. I could be wrong but I just remember thinking how crazy the prices were.

I pulled the body off in the driveway to replace the frame which was bent from a collision.
 

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I'm thinking that if I pull them, they'll be replaced with grade 8 bolts.
 

rickinAZ

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I was studying up on removing the body bolts until my dealer said that they'd install my ACE rock rails for only $100. Decided not to roll the dice on DIY. I'm too ham-fisted.
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