I'm a DIY Failure!

[Spiggie]

Title says it all... from trying to black out headlights to taking off running boards.. something always goes wrong! Anyone out there with any secrets help me out? Im stuck on the impossibly tight bolts on the running boards.. :shrug:

My 4runner is :whipping2 me !

 

[Snuph]

unusually tight? ...like, will not budge?
I removed my running boards a week ago, and with a little muscle, they broke free.
pardon my ignorance, but righty tighty, lefty loosy.
pardon me again, but make sure youre turning the right bolts.

 

[Seatown]

Title says it all... from trying to black out headlights to taking off running boards.. something always goes wrong! Anyone out there with any secrets help me out? Im stuck on the impossibly tight bolts on the running boards.. :shrug:

My 4runner is :whipping2 me !

Just did mine last night. Socket wrench with an extension; make sure the socket is securely around the bold and then give it a good push; the longer the extension the better.

 

[Snuph]

i didnt even use an extension, i guess im used to scraping my knuckles and losing some skin here and there
12mm socket, right? i believe thats what it is..
perhaps your socket is a bit bigger and youre not getting a good grip?

 

[Tucson4runner]

12mm or 10 I can't remember. And on the ones on the front of the runner I believe one of the bolts is permanently welded to vehicle so once you have all others off slide running board back and should fall right on top of you!

 

[Spiggie]

ha... those all sound like things i didnt check! and ya i got under the car.. so ima try a big socket extension thing... :boink:

 

[T4R2014]

Are you in an area where road salt is used? I was able to remove my untouched for 10+ years running board bolts with ease, get some penetrating oil and spray the bolts with it every few days. They'll come right off and I was even able to reuse them when I put them back on.

 

[gaterose]

I got mine off very easily too with a little wd-40, have you tried a cheater bar? I'm pretty sure I used one for mine.

I believe one of the bolts is permanently welded to vehicle so once you have all others off slide running board back and should fall right on top of you!

This isn't right, or at least wasn't in my case. One of the bolts was extremely tight IIRC but they all came out.

 

[jeffrosheen]

Apply and marinate in a rust penetrator (wd-40, Boesheild T-9, etc) and heat with a torch. Repeat as necessary.

No bolt is seized forever

 

[Ducman]

breaker bar

If you don't already have one pickup a small socket breaker bar.

Under $20 and will make quick work of those bolts that need a little extra 'muscle' to remove.

PB Blaster works wonders on rusted bolts too. Just use caution ... it comes out FAST and that stuff is nasty you dont want that stuff in your eyes.

 

[Seatown]

Apply and marinate in a rust penetrator (wd-40, Boesheild T-9, etc) and heat with a torch. Repeat as necessary.

No bolt is seized forever

If rust is present, definitely marinate those bolts...PB Blaster is another great penetrating spray :banana:

 

[4RunnerFan]

So, just curious. Why would you want to remove your running boards?

 

[Snuph]

So, just curious. Why would you want to remove your running boards?

i removed mine cause i ordered some sliders but many people remove them because they like the look, if i wasnt adding sliders, id probably still take the running boards off, they get in the way and arent that appealing.