Transfer Case Skid bolt spinning

[KevinM60]

Does anybody have a technique for getting the transfer case skid plate bolts loose when the jam nut on the inside of the frame breaks loose and one of the bolts won't come out?

Sponsored

 

[kevman65]

Since I haven't messed with it, no way to get anything in there to wedge the nut against the frame?

If not, then cutting the head off the bolt is about the only way I see. But then you need to fish the other half out so it doesn't rattle.

 

[KevinM60]

Since I haven't messed with it, no way to get anything in there to wedge the nut against the frame?

If not, then cutting the head off the bolt is about the only way I see. But then you need to fish the other half out so it doesn't rattle.

It did unscrew a little bit and looking on another thread it looks like the bottom of the nut may be exposed. If I can jam something in between the bolt head and nut to keep it from spinning I may get it moving. Cutting the bolt off would be a last resort so until I find a good solution I'll use my existing skid plate instead of the replacement.
Thanks for the tip.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

Try to fish a rope loop, or thick wire, or something up in there so you can hold it still. I've also had luck before driving a small screwdriver through the opening with the bolt enough that it caught the jam nut.

 

[Lost1wing]

I ran into this on other vehicles. Sometimes you can let the weight of the skid plate plus a few pounds with a prybar to hold the nut down. I'm guessing locktite is being used which would make it difficult. Warming it could ease up the locktite if it was used.

 

[Hootbro]

Is it an actual nut or a rivnut?

 

[Badunit]

If not, then cutting the head off the bolt is about the only way I see. But then you need to fish the other half out so it doesn't rattle.

Or cut it off, hope really hard for it to rattle really loudly for a really long time and it will almost definitely fall out on its own within a mile. Well, that's how things seem to work anyway.

 

[Puch]

Does anybody have a technique for getting the transfer case skid plate bolts loose when the jam nut on the inside of the frame breaks loose and one of the bolts won't come out?

I had this happen on my 2020 JT. I think it happened to a few others here too.
In my case, I had to cut the head off and then cut the nut out. Then I was able to purchase a longer bolt and nut. The bolt was long enough to go through the cross member and attached the nut on top of the cross member. Depends which one is spinning. I think that “fix” only works on one of the bolt locations?

 

[Boostnu]

If it’s in the frame those nuts are just pressed in. They have a star like spline on them. I had this happen awhile back when I was doing my transfercase swap. I ended up cutting the head of the bolt off and got the nut out with a flexible magnet from harbor freight. I then went to the dealership and got this

https://www.mymoparparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-nut-6511923aa

And a couple m12x1.5 bolts one to pull the new nut back in the frame and seat it. The other for a replacement bolt. I used the old piece off bolt and drilled a hole in it so I could fish the nut back down in the frame with a string.

Pretty much all the factory skid bolts have red lock tight on them so I wouldn’t use an impact gun on them at all.

 

[KevinM60]

I ran into this on other vehicles. Sometimes you can let the weight of the skid plate plus a few pounds with a prybar aassistto hold the nut down. I'm guessing locktite is being used which would make it difficult. Warming it upcould ease up the locktite if it was used.

They use red loctite on these bolts.
I’ve heard heating it up works so I’ll try that along with a wedge to press the nut against the frame.

 

[KevinM60]

Is it an actual nut or a rivnut?

Pretty sure it’s a rivnut cuz it’s inside the frame with a very small access hole in the side of the frame that doesn’t give very good access.
I can feel it catching as it spins but it doesn’t lock in.

 

[Hootbro]

Pretty sure it’s a rivnut cuz it’s inside the frame with a very small access hole in the side of the frame that doesn’t give very good access.
I can feel it catching as it spins but it doesn’t lock in.

Those are a pisser, especially if they are the fluted round types and not a hex shaped one. If you cannot get something to grab them, may have to drill the flange off and punch out.

 

[Boostnu]

Can you post a picture of the location where it’s at? If it’s in the frame it isn’t a riv nut it’s the one I posted.

 

[KevinM60]

Can you post a picture of the location where it’s at? If it’s in the frame it isn’t a riv nut it’s the one I posted.

I’m not at home right now but I have this from the install manual

it’s the top left one next to the fuel tank.
Heating it up didn’t work so unless I come up with something else I’ll probably have to cut the head off the bolt and replace the nut and bolt. If so I’ll leave it for now and use the factory skid until I get the replacement parts and the time to switch it out.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Hit it with a torch for about 15 seconds at a time till it releases

Sponsored