Bolt Stuck In TRD Skid Plate - HELP!

[hazards280]

Folks, I know this has been discussed in numerous threads, and I can assure you that I've read all of them.

I started working on my 4Runner at 7:00 PM tonight to do an oil change and it's now 10:30 PM and I haven't made it past the skid plate removal. The first three bolts came off just fine; however, the driver's side front bolt refuses to come loose. I've tried using the leverage I had available to me from the plate "hanging" from the other three bolts being removed. I've also tried a pray bar for more leverage, and used an impact. In all cases the bolt just spins and I'm unable to drop the plate.

I now know that I should have re-tapped the threads before install, but I suppose I didn't think that was needed when I installed the plate since it was put on when the 4Runner had ~4k miles on it.

Any ideas how I can get this bolt off? I can't get a cutoff wheel in there without damaging the skid plate, and I'm incredibly nervous about drilling it out since someone in one of the other threads drilled right into their radiator. :lalala:

I promise to buy new bolts and retap the threads once I put it back on. I'm sure the threads in the radiator support bracket are shot by now, so I may have to tap it one size bigger. :redbrick:

 

[yardsale]

Folks, I know this has been discussed in numerous threads, and I can assure you that I've read all of them.

I started working on my 4Runner at 7:00 PM tonight to do an oil change and it's now 10:30 PM and I haven't made it past the skid plate removal. The first three bolts came off just fine; however, the driver's side front bolt refuses to come loose. I've tried using the leverage I had available to me from the plate "hanging" from the other three bolts being removed. I've also tried a pray bar for more leverage, and used an impact. In all cases the bolt just spins and I'm unable to drop the plate.

I now know that I should have re-tapped the threads before install, but I suppose I didn't think that was needed when I installed the plate since it was put on when the 4Runner had ~4k miles on it.


Any ideas how I can get this bolt off? I can't get a cutoff wheel in there without damaging the skid plate, and I'm incredibly nervous about drilling it out since someone in one of the other threads drilled right into their radiator. :lalala:

I promise to buy new bolts and retap the threads once I put it back on. I'm sure the threads in the radiator support bracket are shot by now, so I may have to tap it one size bigger. :redbrick:

Try to wedge a small flat blade screwdriver under the bolt head and apply downward pressure as you turn the bolt. Hopefully it will grab a thread and come out.

 

[Jeremy556]

Air chisel if you can get to it, otherwise, drill it out.
You can replace the welded nut with a rivnut, it's not ideal, but it works well enough. In the future, apply anti seize to all bolts when re-installing.