D-Ring question, got rust...

[JAsh1967]

Bought some d-rings to leave on my front bumper (yes, I like the look,) but putting a new hook on the winch line I noticed the pin was starting to rust and I could NOT unscrew the pin by hand (going to try tools today.)

I figure my first mistake was buying Harbor Freight D-Rings and my second mistake was leaving them on the vehicle in Michigan through the winter.

Is there anything I can do in the future to keep the pin from rusting in place (and lord help me if I can't bust them loose,) maybe put some anti-seize on the threads or something? Or just give up my "it looks neat" and keep them in the Jeep until I actually go off-roading and might need them...

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[LouisvEarlleJT]

Yes, put grease on the pins (you can wipe it thin so that it doesn’t even show) and then spray/wipe the rings with WD-40 every other car wash (or every if you want to)

I like running a hook in my hitch but HATE how receiver hitches always rust up when stuff is left in them. Grease on the hitch and pin has kept that from happening through 2 winters now.

 

[Reddout99]

Try WD to get them off and spray with Fluid Film. Wipe off excess. I've been treating the undercarriage with FF on my old JKU and now my JT. No rust through Nebraska winters

 

[Janster]

Or....pony up $$ to buy aluminum or stainless ones. Lots of companies make them.

It’s a pain in the ass to have to keep taking them off and putting them back on.

At a minimum….. Keep a set in the jeep at all times. Because…. There’s gonna come a day you’ll need them and be like….. “OH Shit! I forgot to put them back on”

 

[MikeNH]

Try some WD40 or PB Blaster and some vice grips. I get liking the look but leave them off until you need them and if you are actually buying them for function, get rid of that chinese junk that's gonna shatter and kill someone and buy US-made ones like Crosby.

 

[Volt0]

Another thought => Soft shackles don’t rust, and I would think safer and more versatile.

If you’re just going for the look, I wonder if you could find something made of wood or plastic?

 

[JAsh1967]

Another thought => Soft shackles don’t rust, and I would think safer and more versatile.

If you’re just going for the look, I wonder if you could find something made of wood or plastic?

So the mount points on my bumper have "sharp" corners that would likely demolish a soft shackle fairly quickly.

I was going to run by a local off road shop (the place that did my bumper,) but they're closed on the weekends, so...

The good news is, took a pair of pliers out to the Jeep this morning and was able to get the shackles off with little trouble, so for now they're just tossed in my storage box.

 

[MoxiesDad]

Push an O-ring on the pin and lightly lube the threads. Now you can tighten and loosen the pin by hand without the need for tools. The slightly compressed O-ring will keep the pin from vibrating loose.

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

I use Moose Knuckles so they never have to be removed.

https://www.moose-knuckle.com

 

[Jaxmax]

I use Moose Knuckles so they never have to be removed.

https://www.moose-knuckle.com

Moose knuckles are pretty neat ,expensive but are rated 500 pounds more then Crosby shackles , plus they have rubber on them to prevent rattles. I have Crosby shackles and store them inside , I don’t use the recovery gear enough to leave them out in elements and on display to thieves. But if I wanted shackles on full time that don’t need to be threaded on each time ,those are an option I would look at…..Jack

 

[Overland_Dreamrz]

Moose knuckles are pretty neat ,expensive but are rated 500 pounds more then Crosby shackles , plus they have rubber on them to prevent rattles. I have Crosby shackles and store them inside , I don’t use the recovery gear enough to leave them out in elements and on display to thieves. But if I wanted shackles on full time that don’t need to be threaded on each time ,those are an option I would look at…..Jack

I do like the idea on not needing to install (or remove and install) every time. You are right, $112 for a pair is definitely not cheap, but once I got them and saw how tightly they fit (no rattles or movement whatsoever....tight enough they have to be forced into position for opening), I didn't feel as bad about the price. They also don't use a standard fastener on the caps, so the average crack head with screwdrivers and wrenches can't quickly make off with them.

 

[Supazuk]

I use never-seize on mine however as of now I only use the ones on the bumper to hold my winch hook. I keep spare shackles in the truck with my other recovery gear

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