Rusted bed bolt

Looking for ideas on getting a very rusted bed bolt out. The t55 head is completely ruined by rust (bit just slips with any amount of torque applied).

I've read through the other similar posts on TW and tried everything. Cutoff wheel to cut square edges and using a large pipe wrench to attempt to remove it. Grind the bolt head into a hex shape and pounding a socket onto it.

The bolt will move a tiny bit (1/16th inch maybe) but won't break free. Has been soaked multiple times in PB blaster. Torch didn't help. No easy access to a welder to weld a nut on. I'm about ready to grind the bolt head off and try to drill it out. (any bit recommendations for that?)

Any other genius ideas out there for this before I go caveman on this?

 

drilling out would be a pain as the bolts so long, Id find a welder first. Just my opinion.

 

I went through this same thing. Ended up taking it to a mechanic. The bolt snapped and they welded a nut to the bottom and pulled it through from underneath the bed.

When you replace it, make sure to use plenty of anti-seize.

 

Yeah those bolts are super long. Heat and penetrating oil from above probably wont help you. Depending on which bolt is stuck you can get access from under the truck. Lots of PB and some heat on the actual threads that go through the frame should help

 

Really clamp it down hard, I mean hard. Try to replace with a stainless steel bolt if possible. Good luck with your mission.

 

Bad memories ... I'd cut the top off and start drilling it out. The things suck. I hadn't ever tried to loosen those bolts (bought in November 2004). The first one was completely rusted in - I basically cut this flush and continued to drill out pieces. I just put a different size bolt in the remaining hole and secured it down with a nut.




I was able to get this one out and re-tap it and use a new/replacement bolt to secure it.

 

grind the head off, remove the bed, cut it off flush, then drill it out

 

Yep, but be careful under there with a torch... Gas tank, fuel lines, brake lines, etc.

Really, you're probably going to need a nut welded on the bolt after you cut the head iff to remove the bed.

 

You could also use a left hand threaded bolt extractor , you would need to drill into the bolt with a tungsten drill bit to get it started though . Prob be cheaper & less hassle to just have someone weld a nut or socket on it though….

 

Heat it from the bottom until it's glowing, weld a nut on top and take it out. Dont waste your time heating it from the top. If you're scared to heat it from the bottom, use a air hammer to help it break loose. It would help if you had 2 hands. One person on the bottom with the air hammer and one on top putting tension on the welded nut. But it depends how rusty it is, a picture would give us a good idea of how fucked you are