Body 1/2” bolts

[EatenByLimestone]

I just pulled some door hinges off today and sheared half of them. Tomorrow I’ll probably do the same. Do you guys just replace all the bolts you pull off or do you try to reuse them? I usually try to clean the threads and reuse, but I wonder if I’m just screwing the next guy who needs to remove it.

 

[Belizean]

When I got a set of YJ 1/2 doors I had one that didn’t want to come out. I used a little heat and an impact punch.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

I only used penetrating oil and a regular 3/8” ratchet on them. I had pulled the torch out earlier, but didn’t get around to it for this. Ideally, 60 cents of investment in new bolts would stop this issue from happening to the next person having to go through the vehicle. Maybe the next person is me in 15-20 years, lol.

 

[Belizean]

Exactly ! In almost 42 I’ve gotten to almost every bolt at least a couple times, exception being the spindles I think, until last week. Even the roll bar has been out 3 times. I haven’t done the body bolts either.

 

[Turbogus]

A mini butane torch help heat up the metal making them easier to loosen. Depending on the condition of the bolts I'll chase the threads or replace them.

 

[EatenByLimestone]

Broke a 7/16” bolt on the window hinge, used a sawzall to cut some screws off holding a Maglight mount, and drilled the head off one other screw that somebody had inserted as a ground for something where the wire was long gone. All that was left was the screw head and a solderless connector, lol.

I hope the bolt backed out enough that it’s only in the hinge.