Broke Body bolt of Wrangler Rubicon 2022 4xE

[Jacksparrow]

Friends,

I bought my first Jeep a month ago, and I was installing Rough Country rock sliders yesterday. As part of the installation, I was removing the rear body bolt on the driver side, and it broke off with at least an inch or more left deep inside the frame. Any advice?

Step 5 of the installation guide - https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/929080100.pdf

This is the first body bolt I tried to remove, and it's on the driver's side. I have not touched others.

This is a brand-new Jeep, and I wasn't expecting something like this.

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[Megawatt]

That sucks!!! And it’s the front bolt that has red locktite, the center has blue, and none on the rear.

I didn’t have any problem with my bolts, didn’t use any heat. Just a torque wrench set to some low value like 80 ft# and stopped if it clicked then ran it back in for a turn and continue removing.

As far as repair I think you have to cut a hole in top of the tub to access the bolt. It hurt just thinking of that repair and drama.

Here is a pic of how much of the bolt is still inside the body.

 

[ConqSoft]

There are a lot of people that had that happen, including me. (See some of the similar threads below.)

My dealer was able to drill mine out and repair it with a heli-coil to avoid having to come in through the bodywork above. Was a pricey repair.

 

[Creeker]

I have used a heat gun to heat the bolts and then used a large pull bar to remove the bolts.

Another option is the induction bolt heaters. Think those would work, but I have not tried them.

Try looking for "Induction Heater Kit 1000W 110V bolt" on Amazon.

 

[Antonio]

A quick forum search about body bolts will make you think twice about attempting this
I did! After even reaching out to shops and dealers near by they wouldn’t do it, I decided to let it go for now for the simple reason that just happened to you! Sorry to hear, hope you find a shop willing to help you fix it, I’ve read of people literally lifting the body off and we’re able to grab part of the screw sticking out to fully get it removed but every situation is different

 

[rdk5]

Oh man sorry to hear that! I dug through the forums and YouTube before I attempted installing my Rock Slide Engineering steps and almost everyone said to heat up the bolts to break the red Loctite.

I used a torch on all the bolts just to make my life easier. The other advice when unscrewing the bolt is to retighten half a turn to help clear/loosen the Locktite from the threads.

 

[Remorseless]

I got nothing constructive to add, but shit, that sucks. Pour one out for a homie.

 

[Joe's_Roxy]

Been there...done that...with the front bolt on my 2 Door Rubicon when I went to install my ACE rock Sliders. I took it to the dealer and asked them to remove the bolt. They did (not sure how) and installed a new bolt in its place. I had also asked them to install the rock sliders for me but...they said they couldn't remove the bolts. I applied heat to the bolts with my heat gun and slowly worked the bolts out and installed my rock sliders without their help.

 

[J-Dub]

My worst fear when I did my Rockslide Engineering steps. I torched the bolts for about 90 seconds, and they backed out nice and easy. If they bound up I did about a half turn back towards tight and then kept going.

I've heard of others having the dealer drill them out but I can't imagine the price that'll cost.

 

[Valpo Jeep]

Center punch, drill the bolt out, use an extractor. Chase the hole with a tap and install the new bolt. At least that is the process for every other broken bolt.

Will that not work for this? Have not done this job myself but I have removed lots of other broken bolts.

 

[Rhinebeck01]

That sucks!!! And it’s the front bolt that has red locktite, the center has blue, and none on the rear.

I didn’t have any problem with my bolts, didn’t use any heat. Just a torque wrench set to some low value like 80 ft# and stopped if it clicked then ran it back in for a turn and continue removing.

As far as repair I think you have to cut a hole in top of the tub to access the bolt. It hurt just thinking of that repair and drama.

Here is a pic of how much of the bolt is still inside the body.

You got lucky, plane and simple..

 

[Rhinebeck01]

Center punch, drill the bolt out, use an extractor. Chase the hole with a tap and install the new bolt. At least that is the process for every other broken bolt.

Will that not work for this? Have not done this job myself but I have removed lots of other broken bolts.

If only it was that easy. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, not so with a broken body bolt on a JL. Access is just one issue..

 

[lowmpg]

Friends,

I bought my first Jeep a month ago, and I was installing Rough Country rock sliders yesterday. As part of the installation, I was removing the rear body bolt on the driver side, and it broke off with at least an inch or more left deep inside the frame. Any advice?

Step 5 of the installation guide - https://s3.amazonaws.com/roughcountry/install/929080100.pdf

This is the first body bolt I tried to remove, and it's on the driver's side. I have not touched others.

This is a brand-new Jeep, and I wasn't expecting something like this.

Sorry to hear this man. Were you using an impact or something? I got all mine out but was definitely worried about breaking them. Hope it ends well.

 

[Anonymous]

Dude you just made me throw up in my mouth. Sorry to hear this. I have nothing to add except wishing you luck in next steps.

 

[Willys_Wonka]

This is worst case scenario while installing any body bolt mounted rails. I did extensive research before opting to just have a trusted 4x4 shop do the installation. The two methods for a successful removal, I’m aware of, are heat and/or the torque wrench back-out method. If it clicks at about 80#, reverse direction (tighten) 1/2 turn and then proceed again to back out the bolt, repeat as necessary. Just too much could go wrong and I usually have bad luck. The shop installed my rails along with front LED turn signal switchbacks, clear side markers all under an hour! He obviously did it before and knew how to handle those body bolts, best 150 bucks I spent. I’m interested what method you used that caused that bolt to snap.

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