Removing Factory Tow Hook Help

[ZoSo]

ok so i just bought a defiant light bar which is awesome by the way. i took off the wrapping and it looks amazing.

that said, i can't even get started putting it on cause my scrawny ass can't even budge the factory tow hooks. actually the guy who sold me the pb blaster at oreilly auto parts was about 240 pounds and he couldn't budge them either

i first applied wd40 to them

i then applied pb blaster to them

still not moving.

i talked to Paul the maker of the light bar and he mentioned it is important not to damage the threading so using a power tool wouldn't be advised.

any suggestions and thanks in advanced for any help?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

I had a hard time too. You need to get a long pipe and use that to get some leverage.

 

[JohnsD90]

Try tightening not even an 8th of an inch, and then try too loosen it. Also, Soak it in PB 2 or 3 times an hour for a couple of hours, and then do as clemson said and get bigger bar to put on the end to give you more torque.

BTW 240lbs doesnt mean your strong, only means you weigh 240lbs

 

[Limited2K]

two words...cheater bar. Like Clemson said, get a pipe for more leverage, just make sure the socket doesn't slip and round off the bolt heads

 

[theizzardking]

in this order and god for any stuck bolt

1. cheater bar
2. pb blaster for a few days let is soak
3. cheater bar again
4. smack it with a rubber mallet/dead blow
5. cheater bar again
6. heat
7. cheater bar yet again
9. more heat
10. cheater bar
11. heat and impact wrench
12. drill the ***** out and re-tap
13. bolts made of tungsten?
14. use EDM lol

yeah i should add to be careful when doing this stuff it's easy to strip,round and generally screw things up if your not careful

 

[brian2sun]

You aren't going to damage those treads very easily. If all else fails, just use an impact and hold it on there for a while. The impact will beat up that caked-on rust/corrosion and break it loose.

 

[Toyotaboater]

ZoSo... I gather you're a Zep fan huh? :guitar3: I'm curious about your tool selection. Are you trying this with a 3/8" ratchet? I would use nothing less than a 1/2" breaker bar...3/4" if you can afford it, a six-sided socket, NO reducer, and then a cheater pipe! Here is a product that I was turned onto only a few months ago, and the results are amazing. It's called CRC Freeze-Off Super Penetrant. Better than PB Blaster in that it uses a different chemistry to dissolve rust. Good luck with that beast of a bolt!

 

[ZoSo]

thanks

wow you guys are all amazing.

they are all off thanks to you and a gm 17" deluxe length flexible handle "cheater bar" "torque bar" etc,,.

i asked and within 1 hour you all dialed me in.

i will be editing this post with a pic to show the final product as well as giving you all a detailed review of the defiant product and customer service. they were both stellar but i want to give you all some details regarding Paul.

thanks again you guys rock. i truly appreciate the quick help and sound advice.


take care!


as promised i just wanted to comment on the quality of the product Paul Fox at Defiant is making. it looks great, installs easy once tow hooks are removed, rides great no noises or lights jumping around, and is made in the USA.

as far as Paul is concerned i began talking to him when i first found his website. i called and asked about the production line as i had found out that many people building grille guards etc. do not make them tell they get orders especially for 99 4runners. Paul explained he'd make the light bar when the order came in but unlike big companies he'd do it immediately or within days of the order vs. weeks or even months in same cases.

i ordered the product and a day later got an email that he was building my bar. i emailed him regarding several questions while the item was shipped and he always responded usually within the hour. it is as if he has a "you got mail" thing going off in his shop because he gets back to you fast. i also as you all know am an idiot regarding automotive related stuff so i called him 3 times once the bar came with questions and never once did i get a feeling i was annoying him or putting him off. he simply answered my questions and wished me luck.

one more thing to mention. i put on kc daylighters and had to call them a few times regarding the best options to install the lights. if you go to kc hilites website they have an Arizona number that you can call and i talked to the same guy 2-3 times asking questions about stuff and it was the same thing as with Paul, he was nice and informative and available which is crazy because these days i'm always talking to voice automated systems or someone from a foreign country.

so thanks again to all of you on the board, Paul at Defiant, and KC Hilites for everything.

1 more thing is there a way to post pics without adding a url? i'm an idiot with computers as well.

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Which lights are you putting on the light bar?

 

[Singtoe]

I am breaking down a 96 4Runner and I used a 24" breaker bar - no oil. It was really stuck on there but it broke free. I took the tow hook and mounted it on the back of my 99. Looks great and an easy spot to attach a tow strap to pull out stranded motorist in the wintertime...

Remember : Righty Tighty Lefty Loosie

 

[jsmithjr732]

I feel your pain. Had the same issue with old 03 Tacoma. I took it to a tire shop and asked if they could hit the bolts with air--came off immediately.

Alternatively, breaker bar.