I took off the transmission skid plate to change the fluid and filters. now that I'm sure nothing is leaking I went to reinstall it but the front bolts are SO stiff to turn I'm worried I'm stripping them.

my husband and I both hand installed to feel for the shoulder and start the threading properly, but after just a turn or two they really stiffen up - not at all like the ones at the back of the plate.

the jeep came with the plate, so I don't know for sure, but I was reading about the nutzert things and wondered if they have to be replaced when reinstalling the plate, or if this stiffness is normal with them, or ???

it feels like the bolt will shear off if I try to tighten it alk the way down.

any tips?
thanks!
julie

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2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited - with Fumoto oil drain valve! AND Rock Lizard Rack, Weeks Kit, ARP studs, Model 001 thermostat, Hayden fan clutch, and brand new TB, water pump, plugs, and rockers (thanks Georgi!)
2003 VW Jetta TDI
2000 Ford Excursion XLT (diesel)
2007 Wells Cargo TW101-V (custom camping trailer)

is there a chance that you can run a tap into the bolt holes to ensure cleanliness and no pesky burrs? also run a die-down the bolt to ensure its strait and true.

A little never seize on the bolt threads may help a bunch!

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Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount
98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve

Thanks you guys. I'm not sure why I missed these replies, but I'll try checking out the holes. The bolts themselves look good, but we'll double-check that as well.

@WWDiesel - By "never-seize" you mean the red loctite stuff? So the lubricant might help them along?

Thanks!
j

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2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited - with Fumoto oil drain valve! AND Rock Lizard Rack, Weeks Kit, ARP studs, Model 001 thermostat, Hayden fan clutch, and brand new TB, water pump, plugs, and rockers (thanks Georgi!)
2003 VW Jetta TDI
2000 Ford Excursion XLT (diesel)
2007 Wells Cargo TW101-V (custom camping trailer)

No NO No a thousand times no - if you use red loctite they might go in but you will have to use a torch to get them back out. What WWdiesel means is anti-seize as in something like Permatex 81343

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Sold to LOST member my 05 Ltd, GDE Stg II turbo + TCM tune, SunCoast TC w. Transgo kit, Steiger window regulators, Samcos, Fumoto valve, 2nd gen filter head with Lub. Spec. bleeder, Hayden clutch & 11 blade fan, inverted spare, P-1 battery, BF Goodrich Long Trail TAs, Etecno1 glow plugs, timing belt at 50K miles/8 yrs

Absolutely NOT the red thread locker type stuff!

What I was actually referring to was Loctite anti-seize compound!
Silver or copper, both are great products and do a fine job of protecting treads from galling!
Available at most decent parts stores.....

Example:


Loctite® Silver Grade Anti-Seize
Heavy-duty, temperature resistant, petroleum-based lubricant compound fortified with graphite and metallic flake. Inhert and will not evaporate or harden in extreme cold or heat. For use in assemblies up to 1600°F (871°C). CFIA Approved.

_________________
Supporting Vendor and Moderator of LOST
05 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited
Ironman Springs/Bilstein/Shocks
Yeti StgIV Hot Tune
Week's BatteryTray
No FCV/EGR
Samcos/ProVent
SunCoast/Transgo
Carter Intank-pmp
2mic.Sec.Fuel Filter
Flowmaster/NO CAT
V6Airbox/noVH
GM11 Bld.fan/HDClutch
IronrockArms/wwdieselMount
98 Dodge Cummins 24 Valve

That is also called anti-seize. All Autoparts stores have it. If you don't have anti seize, you can use any grease in there, it's not going to be any high temperature around, under normal circumstances. Anti-seize has Zinc in it, so when the anti-seize dries up, the Zinc prevents corrosion from forming. Anti-seize is usually used on mufflers and oxygen sensors.

To address the problem with the bolts, run a tap through the nutzert to clean some possible dirt and rust you may have in there (as previously mentioned) and I'd also run a die on the bolt itself. On my skids I have no issues getting the bolt stuck but I can hear the crunches from the dust and dirt when tightening the bolts. Don't force the bolt or you'll break the nutzert.

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2005 kj CRD, samco, suncoast tc, provent, Kennedy lift pump, GDE ECO full torque, 2nd gen filter head, 245/70/16 a/t tires, mopar light bar, fumoto oil valve, OEM Skid Plates, ARB Front bumper and HD OME, tru cool LPD47391 40k GVW tranny cooler (stock cooler delete), FF Dynamics e-fan and shroud, rocker arms replaced, HDS2 190F thermostat.