Removing bed bolts

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

dusterdude

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Posts
322
Reaction score
331
Location
US
First Name
mark
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
gmc c15
Engine Size
305
How are you guys stopping the head of the bolt from spinning?thanks
 

Doppleganger

Full Access Member
Joined
May 24, 2019
Posts
11,599
Reaction score
53,641
Location
OH-MI: Just like it sounds
First Name
Chris
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
5.7
My truck is rust free but still had 2 that spun. On one, I ground a deep slot into the head and was able to hold it with a flat screw driver while torch heat / PB blastering the nut to get it loose.

The other one I just cut. It rounded out the stamped holes in the bed so picked up a couple of these to pound flat and graft in.

You must be registered for see images attach


Going to grease the %#@! out of the threads before the new ones go back together.

My avatar is a wide angle view of how I would tackle a rusty truck's bed bolts.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,837
Reaction score
6,352
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
What Scott said. ^^^

Not fun work. You could weld a nut to the head of the bolt. No welder? Drill a hole down the bolt and hold with a screw extractor.

Cut the nut off the bottom....
 

Grit dog

Full Access Member
Joined
May 18, 2020
Posts
5,882
Reaction score
9,622
Location
Washington
First Name
Todd
Truck Year
1986
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
454
Assuming you mean they’re rusted a little or a lot.
Either way if that’s the case just cut them off and be done with it.
Worth the 12.99 for a new set of bolts at that point and save the time, frustration and potentially wallowing out the square holes in the bed floor.
 

dusterdude

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Posts
322
Reaction score
331
Location
US
First Name
mark
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
gmc c15
Engine Size
305
No rust,they want to turn but the bolt pushes up and spins.cutting may be my only way out.
 

75gmck25

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2016
Posts
2,017
Reaction score
1,808
Location
Northern Virginia
First Name
Bruce
Truck Year
1975
Truck Model
K25 Camper Special TH350 NP203
Engine Size
5.7
I have had goodl luck with dimpling the area on two sides of the bolt head, and then pushing down and clamping on vice grips vertically. . I then use a large crescent or pipe wrench to hold the vice grips, and turn the nut from below. I have also slipped a piece of metal conduit over the pipe wrench handle to give more leverage
 

dusterdude

Full Access Member
Joined
Oct 7, 2020
Posts
322
Reaction score
331
Location
US
First Name
mark
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
gmc c15
Engine Size
305
Thanks 75,thats an idea.grit tried standing on em,no luck there
 

Gmcm78

Junior Member
Joined
May 5, 2021
Posts
14
Reaction score
28
Location
Tennessee
First Name
Cory
Truck Year
1984
Truck Model
C10
Engine Size
6.2
The last bed I removed, I cut a piece of 1/2 inch angle long enough to reach the heads of the 2 closest bolts. Then tacked it to the head of the bolts and that will hold those 2 bolts from spinning while loosening. Then just pull both bolts out and pop the tacks loose and reuse the angle on the next set of bolts. Grind the heads smooth when done and drop them back in place
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
41,848
Posts
903,424
Members
33,362
Latest member
Dhatch84
Top