How rusty?

[vol4runner]

I'm planning on doing the popular running board removal mod so I crawled under my 4runner to check things out. The bolts looked pretty rusty. How rusty were your bolts when you removed your running boards and did the bolts loosen pretty easily? I'm wondering if i'll need to use an impact wrench or worse....cut them off.

Thanks.

 

[Brutus]

Mine weren't bad at all. Just get under there and spray some PB BLASTER on them a couple of days before you work on it.

You'll like them boards gone, almost looks like you got a lift. you'll see.

 

[shawner2713]

Mine were fairly rusty- I'd advise PB blaster a couple days before you take em off, but i'm impatient and just used a longer socket wrench as a breaker bar and busted em loose.

 

[Fireball]

Mine had very minimal rust, and I sprayed them with PB blaster a few days before taking them off. An impact would've made things much easier. It's a PITA doing it with hand tools laying on your back, but can certainly be done.

If yours has a decent amountsp of rust I'd coat it with the blaster, wait a few days, then coat it again, then wait a day or two before taking them off.

 

[96743runner]

x2

Mine weren't rusty, but they were on pretty tight. The blaster should help, or it would be a lot easier to use an impact wrench, if you have one. Also be prepared to have your eyes showered with dust, so I'd suggest wearing something over your eyes.

 

[vol4runner]

Thanks for all the help. I sprayed some penetrating oil on the bolts today hoping that'll help. I may try removing them with my hand tools before heading to my friend's shop for the lift and impact.