Roof rack detach one bastard bolt.

[Tengu]

I was taking off the roof rack off to install the bajarack, three corners came off no problem. Passenger's side rear one bolt was a pain but it came out. But this one grrrrmmmuuffffeeeerrrr bolt isn't coming out for anything. The worst part is that, it turns. It felt tweaked when it started, but it started cranking for.. a ... bit..... I tried prying below and only ended up marring the recessed bolt hole (trail roof rack).

Obviously, I'm knocking my head now. Any ideas on the mfing bolt that won't let go?

 

[Jeremy556]

Left hand drill bit

 

[Tengu]

It has been a thought, just the worry factor. It is probably going to come to that.

 

[harper7]

I was taking off the roof rack off to install the bajarack, three corners came off no problem. Passenger's side rear one bolt was a pain but it came out. But this one grrrrmmmuuffffeeeerrrr bolt isn't coming out for anything. The worst part is that, it turns. It felt tweaked when it started, but it started cranking for.. a ... bit..... I tried prying below and only ended up marring the recessed bolt hole (trail roof rack).

Obviously, I'm knocking my head now. Any ideas on the mfing bolt that won't let go?

If it's turning and won't come out then most likely the nut plate inside under the headliner is probably turning too. Only way to get it out is take the headliner down and hold it so it doesn't turn with vise grips so the bolt can back out.

Somebody else here had to replace one of the nut plates under there too but couldn't find it in a quick search. I just had my headliner half down and saw them and should have taken some pics. Be very careful with the headliner as it's fragile and creases very easily......ask me how I know.lol

 

[Tengu]

Something tells me this is related to the "check antennae" message I get from the sat, also headliner drop issue.

That said, I've heard you actually had to take the seats off to take it down. Myself, I'd like to screw mounts onto it, but other than a fresh red hue it is pristine.

 

[harper7]

Something tells me this is related to the "check antennae" message I get from the sat, also headliner drop issue.

That said, I've heard you actually had to take the seats off to take it down. Myself, I'd like to screw mounts onto it, but other than a fresh red hue it is pristine.

What antenna/headliner drop issue???? Sounds like someone had the headliner down before.
The seats come out with a few 14mm bolts and is the easy part as a whole bunch of stuff has to come out.I was lazy and just took down the pass side and let it hang to run antenna wires and how I got a small crease up by the moonroof on the drivers side. Not really bad but I notice it.

Not sure what you mean by screw mounts into it. Under the headliner there are steel cross beams that strengthens the roof where the rack attaches and anything would have to attach to them.

 

[Tengu]

My headliner antenna drop issue is in this thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/140699-xm-check-antenna.html

As for "screw mounts to it", I have a vision of making the ceiling a useful part of the vehicle. Much like pegboard in a garage I believe the ceiling could have function. hat and or map bungies up front. Maybe Mollie webbing in back. Obviously anchor points would be needed.

"Screw mounts" in it was just an abbreviated over simplified.

I'm about ready to risk a crease. And yes, my plan is to be lazy as well.

So, I'm guessing I have to look at Nashman's scans for that process? Or did you document your procedure?

 

[eddiebx]

My headliner antenna drop issue is in this thread.
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/140699-xm-check-antenna.html

As for "screw mounts to it", I have a vision of making the ceiling a useful part of the vehicle. Much like pegboard in a garage I believe the ceiling could have function. hat and or map bungies up front. Maybe Mollie webbing in back. Obviously anchor points would be needed.

"Screw mounts" in it was just an abbreviated over simplified.

I'm about ready to risk a crease. And yes, my plan is to be lazy as well.

So, I'm guessing I have to look at Nashman's scans for that process? Or did you document your procedure?

Probably best to follow the FSM instructions...I read through them a few weeks ago and it's pretty straight forward, but there's a million parts to remove, which basically amounts to gutting the entire interior :lmao:

 

[Tengu]

I'm starting to lean towards angle grinding the bolt and going from there. It'll kill a trail rack, and it would have been nice to sell it, but one bolt isn't worth all of that.

 

[Antman]

If the frozen bolt is turning the backing plate...

Why can't you turn the seized bolt/plate until the other hole lines back up, put the first bolt back in, tighten it up and then drill out or force out the seized bolt. You should be able to back it out if you can get the plate to stop turning.
If you can get the bolt out you may be able to re-tap the hole and still use it if needed. Just a thought, but that's what I would do.

 

[Tengu]

If the frozen bolt is turning the backing plate...

Why can't you turn the seized bolt/plate until the other hole lines back up, put the first bolt back in, tighten it up and then drill out or force out the seized bolt. You should be able to back it out if you can get the plate to stop turning.
If you can get the bolt out you may be able to re-tap the hole and still use it if needed. Just a thought, but that's what I would do.

Finally following up to resolve the story.

Well, in doing surgery I opened up the headliner and found out why it spun freely. I wanted to avoid drilling on the roof, but in the end that was what was required. Your idea would have been cool, if the damn bracket hadn't twisted around the seized nut. And the seized nut was round so you can't put a wrench on it for anything.

The picture isn't all that good, but I was getting there.

There it is. The bastard! It's twisted around itself. Can I grip it and someone else screw. Nooooo. Cut it? Damn it... drill it.

FINALLY the bastard is out.

Anyone want a trail roof rack - one bolt?

 

[eddiebx]

[MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION], did you "like" his post because of the picture quality making your's look good??? :bolt:
[MENTION=7957]Tengu[/MENTION], I think there was a guy a few days ago looking specifically for rail parts off a TE rack?? Maybe you can see about selling your partial mangled rack to him?? Glad you were able to conquer that bolt, why on earth did Toyota design this so poorly

EDIT: found it, I think it was this guy: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/80618-5th-gen-sale-wanted-thread-129.html#post1395539

 

[Tengu]

LOL. Okay okay the iphone didn't handle the close up being crammed in between the headliner and roof. I couldn't see to aim, and the flash was more than worthless. (I knew I should have left that first pic off)

With the exception of the one bolt there isn't really noticeable damage per say. Just some chew marks where I tried to pry, but you can't really see it from the ground.

As for the design, yeah it could have just had some bolt in points tacked into the roof, but I am thinking the previous owners or a shoddy body shop are at fault. There was a wreck according to my insurance company that didn't show up in the carfax. The clues tell me that rear corner was where it was. (Bastard cross threaded bolt, XM antennae being cut, fender flairs in that corner only being bed lined)

I appreciate the link, I'll check it out.