SPINNING RIVNUT / JACK NUT - RADIATOR SUPPORT - HEADLIGHTS - JEEP GLADIATOR

[mountainpass]

Yeah I'd drill a hole near it so as to be able to stick something in there to wedge the rivnut in place while unscrewing it.

Sponsored

 

[LostWoods]

IMO if you're at all technically savvy, you can dremel the head off, drill out the rivnut (or just grind off the lip and it will fall in), and just install a bolt all the way through the support. if you want more security, some jb weld globbed on there will provide something to drill through on the front as well but you really just need to keep the ear flat against the support since the other two will provide positioning. Assuming you have a dremel and drill, you can get out for $20 in parts.

 

[kevman65]

If it's a rivnut, pair of needlenose pliers and grab the shoulder of the rivnut. Back the bolt out.

This part is ONLY if you don't get any satisfaction from FCA/dealer.

Take your bolt that you removed to Lowes, Home Depot, whatever hardware store you use. Get same size bolt but about 3/4" longer, get a nut that is same size, and two washers that fit your bolt.
Stack washer, nut, washer on bolt, thread it back into rivnut, gonna need another hand here, hold rivnut with pliers, tighten bolt in about half way, run nut down tight, put ratchet and socket on bolt head to hold it, then tighten the nut with a wrench as tight as you can.
Hopefully that will tighten up rivnut to where it doesn't move.

 

[Blade1668]

Oh by the way it's not unlikely to have been messed up from the assembly line. When I finally decided to change out my LJ headlights it was the same mess, the plastic was cracked for the mounting screw and adjustment screw, I had not done anything to the headlights until then 14 years later I found out. My fix was epoxy the plastic back together with the screw threads coated with wax to keep the epoxy from sticking to it.

 

[STLMike]

Am I missing something? I changed my bulbs and didn't remove the grill. Why go through all that trouble?

 

[Ashr]

Oh by the way it's not unlikely to have been messed up from the assembly line. When I finally decided to change out my LJ headlights it was the same mess, the plastic was cracked for the mounting screw and adjustment screw, I had not done anything to the headlights until then 14 years later I found out. My fix was epoxy the plastic back together with the screw threads coated with wax to keep the epoxy from sticking to it.

Yes, I strongly believe this is factory defect! the screw was already spinning. I got the quote from the dealership and called Jeep customer care, they gave me a number to file a claim directly with Jeep! they said I'm a premium member! lets see!! ?‍ I'll keep you updated...

 

[Ashr]

Am I missing something? I changed my bulbs and didn't remove the grill. Why go through all that trouble?

Is it possible to share a video link? probably I'm going to do the same next time ...

 

[Terry]

Just to give an update. I took my car to an authorized dealership in North Richland Hills, TX and they said that screw is part of the radiator support and they wanted to charge approximately $2,000 to fix it! This is a new Jeep Gladiator, I am confident this screw was faulty but they did not believe me! I am going to try what you guys told me, I am a bit disappointed I didn’t do it...

Find another dealership

 

[Ashr]

Find another dealership

Also this morning I purchased a 20-21 Gladiator Passenger Headlight OEM on eBay for $39. Condition: New other (Removed from a brand new Gladiator) dealership wanted to charge $370 for the passenger headlight!!

 

[LostWoods]

Am I missing something? I changed my bulbs and didn't remove the grill. Why go through all that trouble?

Is it possible to share a video link? probably I'm going to do the same next time ...

Oh... ouch... I thought you were swapping out the full headlight. You can get to the passenger bulb by just taking off the top of the airbox but at that point, the whole airbox comes out easily. It gives you a ton of room to get your hand in there.

 

[Ravenron]

you are absolutely correct, it was a rivnut and the dealership said they charge $400 to replace the rivnut!!

Wow! Two things...1st - why the heck didn't dealership mention this price difference the first time you asked about the problem ($2000 to $400 is a HUGE difference)? 2nd - that still seems WAY too high to replace a rivnut, especially of you've already done the disassembly.

As others have mentioned, see what @JeepCares can do for you and definitely find another dealer! Good luck and take a deep breath...this too shall pass...

Merry Christmas!

 

[Terry]

Also this morning I purchased a 20-21 Gladiator Passenger Headlight OEM on eBay for $39. Condition: New other (Removed from a brand new Gladiator) dealership wanted to charge $370 for the passenger headlight!!

Exactly. Dealerships are betting on the current popularity of the Jeep brand, especially the Gladiators to cut a fat hog. Me... I'm not that hog

 

[mike921921]

Oh... ouch... I thought you were swapping out the full headlight. You can get to the passenger bulb by just taking off the top of the airbox but at that point, the whole airbox comes out easily. It gives you a ton of room to get your hand in there.

But then there's the driver's side (assuming he was replacing them both).. .

 

[LostWoods]

But then there's the driver's side (assuming he was replacing them both).. .

Driver side already has a bunch of room... passenger is the only tricky one.

 

[mike921921]

Driver side already has a bunch of room... passenger is the only tricky one.

Not mine, that's why I went with removing my grille.

Sponsored