Front Skid Plate Bolts Rusted/Sheared Off?
 

I was doing the standard oil and filter change on my 2006 V8 SR5, and when I got underneath to remove the front skid plate to gain access to the oil filter, I noticed that there were only two bolts holding it on, and that the aft part of the skid plate was only being held on by one of those plastic pull-through clamps! :toilet3: Upon further examination, I saw that on the passenger side both bolts had rusted so bad that it appeared the threads had broken off inside. Anyone else had this happen? Any ideas on how to get the broken off bolts out? Drill them? :violin: I guess as no surprise, the local stealership had done the last service on it and apparently failed to mention their handiwork to the previous owner. :whipping2

yeah without a good coating of antiseize these are rather prone to go orange and become over powered by your strength.

no real choice but to drill out and install new ones. coat em with antisneeze and you will be set forever.

That is what I thought, thanks bro.

I guess I got lucky in a way, my skidplate rusted out before the bolts. Bolts were on the hairy edge, but using penetrating oil and a torch, I was able to free them enough to get them out. Put a new Budd Bilt plate on and did use antiseize on the new bolts...

I put a new aftermarket skid plate on and used stainless bolts so I would not have to deal with rust in the future. When you get them out I would suggest going stainless also.