Has anybody taken their Boulder Bars off since installing them? I took mine off to have them refinished and broke 4 of the frame bolts in the process (without much effort at all and while trying to LOOSEN them). Then while re-installing I broke a couple of the pinch weld bolts (all of which were badly corroded). The bars were installed about 2 years ago.

Anyway, you may want to get under there and check out the situation. I figure I was just one bad hit away from disaster (God knows the bolts would break long before the bars would give) so I have decided to replace all of them with grade 8 bolts. Considering that we have relatively dry weather and no salt in the winters this may be an even bigger concern for others…

Curious, Did you use antiseize when installing the bolts? We use it here whenever we install a set and I know mine look ok so far. But then again, we get very litle rain and no snow here.
Any time you bolt up new bumpers, roof racks, bars, etc. you might consider using some antiseize on the bolts to help keep corrosion away.

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99 TJ
71 C101
04 KJ
03 SFA KJ Sport
LOST JEEPS So-Cal

This was the first DIY project I ever did on the Jeep. I don't think I probably knew that stuff even existed! Great tip though.

The weird thing is that the frame bolts didn't have much, if any, corrosion. The heads just twisted right off like butta. I was only using one hand and my tiny 3/8 drive rachet and they slid right off. No popping noise, no nothing. The metal just seemed really soft.

All my bolt heads on the pinch seam are rusted. I already broke one of them off and my bars had only been on for about six months when it happened. I went to the harware store and bought about a half dozen for spares to carry with me just in case. As for the ones in the frame, i helped install a set on FreedomKj's Jeep and when they went in at an angle, we ended up twisting the heads right off.

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David
Bel Air,Md
2003 KJ Patriot Blue Sport w/mods R.I.P.
2005 Wrangler Unlimited not so stock
L.O.S.T. #082670
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/803306
http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2399643
More mods planned than money.
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"Roads, where we're going we don't need roads."

Grade 8 bolts sound like a great idea. I think I'll replace all of mine when I get a chance. (Living in SLC, the streets are covered in salt water half the year. I don't think we're in Tucson anymore, Toto. )

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09 Yellow JK Rubicon LOST #TY050608
TeraFlex 4" long arm lift, 35" BFG KO2s, Tatton driveshaft, Riddler diff covers, RIPP headers,
MBRP off road exhaust, Cobra C75WXST, Little Passengers 3rd row seat
Formerly: 02 White Ltd 4x4 with lots of stuff...
Pics: http://troysterr.com Links & Parts: http://youngs.org/kjparts

Regardless of where you live, JJ's right on the money. Use anti-seize on Grade 8 Bolts. Also do this if / when installing front & rear hitches.

They are probably Chinese bolts or something like that

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'13 JK Unlimited
'07 Goat 4x4
Old School L.O.S.T. Member
L.O.S.T. #DA050656
Republica de Tejas

or American made...........


Folks, be careful with statements like these. They can insult other members.

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New KJ Gear - Desert Armor Flak

2004 Renegade Light Khaki - 4" JBA Lift - Rock Lizard Products: Komodo Dragon Rear Bumper, Prototype Winch-mount Front Bumper, Super Skink Sliders - All J's Super Tranny Skid II - 31" Firestone Destination AT's on Moab wheels - Cobra 75W CB w/ stock Antenna mod

[b]Retired, US Military

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'13 JK Unlimited
'07 Goat 4x4
Old School L.O.S.T. Member
L.O.S.T. #DA050656
Republica de Tejas

I like chinese food!

Me too. But i'm always hungry again an hour later. Why is this?

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- Burchie

Seriously?.... Rice. It bloats within you, which fills you up. Yet it doesn't take long for your digestive system to break it down. So I've been led to believe.

I gave up on solid food. Moved to Beer.

-Burchie

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- Burchie