Rock Rails Thread

[davetha]

I took a couple of pictures today. It went from good to bad really quickly. I bought a set of the Ace Engineering Rock Sliders for the Gladiator. They finally came in this week, my order was from the end of December.

The nut welded to the tub that holds the tub to the frame snapped off on the rear passenger side. The kicker is I didn't even use much force. The thing just broke and started spinning. Its usually the front one people have issues with.

Anyway, I took some pictures of the almost install.

Water started dripping out of the front bolt area. I thought that was interesting.

And the broken nut: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZpfg3i8bsGssEDK8

Be super careful if you take these bolts out! I've already contacted Jeep about this. To fix it I think the tub will need to be cut into in order to access that area.

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[whiteglad]

Did the nut break loose from the tub right away, or did you get the bolt out most of the way? The reason I ask is that there are retainers in each position that keep the bolt from falling out after it is out of the nut's threads. You have to use a pry bar sometimes to pull the bolt. If you are real lucky, that is all you are dealing with.

 

[davetha]

Did the nut break loose from the tub right away, or did you get the bolt out most of the way? The reason I ask is that there are retainers in each position that keep the bolt from falling out after it is out of the nut's threads. You have to use a pry bar sometimes to pull the bolt. If you are real lucky, that is all you are dealing with.

It broke off right away. It won't go back in either. At first I was thinking it might have been stuck on something like a retaining piece.

I tried prying, then praying, then slicing my finger open prying again!

 

[Soedog]

After a long wait (end of December order) finally got the Ace Rock Sliders installed.
Fortunately no issues with broken body mount bolts as others have experienced.
Overall pretty happy as they suit my needs for a daily driver / pavement prince.
Combination of price,appearance,functionality as a step, and ease of install were my primary considerations.
Also happy with how they integrated with the Weathertech splash guards.

 

[whiteglad]

If you can't get Jeep to fix it under warranty, I would use a sawzall to cut the head off the bolt, drive it upward to (hopefully) make a dimple in the floor as a guide, then use a holesaw on the floor. After installing a new bolt--I prefer grade 12.9 Allen head--washer, and nut, get a plastic caplug (brand name) to cover the hole. Or, you can go to grade 8 in 1/2 inch if you prefer.

 

[Renegade]

I took a couple of pictures today. It went from good to bad really quickly. I bought a set of the Ace Engineering Rock Sliders for the Gladiator. They finally came in this week, my order was from the end of December.

The nut welded to the tub that holds the tub to the frame snapped off on the rear passenger side. The kicker is I didn't even use much force. The thing just broke and started spinning. Its usually the front one people have issues with.

Anyway, I took some pictures of the almost install.

Water started dripping out of the front bolt area. I thought that was interesting.

And the broken nut: https://photos.app.goo.gl/oZpfg3i8bsGssEDK8

Be super careful if you take these bolts out! I've already contacted Jeep about this. To fix it I think the tub will need to be cut into in order to access that area.

Check the JL forum on this. Some people have been able to weld another bolt onto the broken one, then apply heat to the original, then back it out. The factory apparently puts red locktite on them, necessitating heat for removal.

 

[davetha]

Check the JL forum on this. Some people have been able to weld another bolt onto the broken one, then apply heat to the original, then back it out. The factory apparently puts red locktite on them, necessitating heat for removal.

Yeah I have definitely seen the posts. I did apply heat with a butane torch as part of the process so this didn't happen to me. Maybe applying more would have helped. It broke off with a ratchet. It's not like a used a huge breaker bar or anything. It's probably the red locktite and maybe a bad weld that created sort of a perfect storm.

 

[davetha]

Or maybe not enough heat as that bolt is super long? Sorry on my phone otherwise I would have edited it.

 

[NateKY]

I bought the Rampage steps like @eligius but I welded them on the rock rail instead of drilling and using bolts. I’m happy with it.

 

[Gatorized]

Yeah I have definitely seen the posts. I did apply heat with a butane torch as part of the process so this didn't happen to me. Maybe applying more would have helped. It broke off with a ratchet. It's not like a used a huge breaker bar or anything. It's probably the red locktite and maybe a bad weld that created sort of a perfect storm.

Is there a reasonably priced induction heat tool available? Sounds like this would be the perfect application for one.

 

[steffen707]

Is there a reasonably priced induction heat tool available? Sounds like this would be the perfect application for one.

i think i saw a bbq coal heater youtube video on this.

 

[Gatorized]

i think i saw a bbq coal heater youtube video on this.

I think you are right - someone used an electric bbq charcoal briquette lighter to heat up bolts...

 

[davetha]

I think you are right - someone used an electric bbq charcoal briquette lighter to heat up bolts...

Oh yeah, that would have probably done it. You'd need to put it on there for a while since the bolts are pretty long. That sounds like a good solution to try. The problem with a butane torque is you risk melting things around the area. The induction header or electric briquette lighter at least makes it much more precise.

 

[steffen707]

I think you are right - someone used an electric bbq charcoal briquette lighter to heat up bolts...

here's another option, still looking for the bbq heater.

 

[steffen707]

here's another option, still looking for the bbq heater.

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