Removing spare tire holder bolts [UPDATED]

jakewire · **Joined:** Wed May 14, 2008 3:21 pm **Posts:** 25

I'm going to refinish the rusty plates and it looks like I need a torx socket to get the bolts off. Anyone know the size so I can just order one without having to buy a set?

By the way, I'm amazed that Sears, Pepboys, etc don't stock them... they have to be ordered.

Jake

OK, you need an E8 Star Socket to get the studs out. Three came out with no problem but the fourth snapped off. Went to the dealership and got part number 6507623AA, the cost was $8.30. The guy at the parts counter said I should have put some heat on it first. Got home and put a torch on it for 15 seconds and it came off super easy with vice grips.... live and learn.

I'm now going to find a nice shady spot and grind all the rust off the plates and give them a few coats of paint.

Have a good weekend all,
Jake

JNJ-Z · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:29 pm

HELLO,
I DONT REMEMBER THE SIZE, BUT I BOUGHT A SMALL KIT FROM AUTO ZONE THAT WORKED! NOW I HAVE TO DO MINE AGAIN BECAUSE IT RUSTED AGAIN.

jakewire · **Joined:** Wed May 14, 2008 3:21 pm **Posts:** 25

Thanks JNJ.

Didn't think to try AZ since nobody else had them.

Jake

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just vice gripped mine and they came off no problem. It's a good idea to take those off once in a while to clean behind them; mine had some grit and crud in there. When you put them back on, be sure to put the thin plastic spacer in again, a couple of members have had a buzz/rattle happen otherwise.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:31 pm

Once those are out, are there buttons or something to replace them if you want to run the spare on top or somewhere else?

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

Nope, just a threaded hole. I got some short bolts, painted the heads and eased those in there with some home-made rubber washers behind them.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:44 pm

snowsport, did you paint your rear shackle or buy it like that? thanks or the idea too.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

I just painted it with rust paint. BTW, I put the spare holder back on a while ago. Just wanted to see what it looked like. I like how it looks, but it's a pain in the butt-tocks keeping the spare anywhere else.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:00 pm

Yeah, that is why I haven't taken mine off and kept it off yet. I may keep it in my rear cargo area strapped down when on a few day rock crawling trip, but I haven't needed to move it for clearance yet, so I doubt I will have to.

Fulltimer · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:28 pm

I have AAA road service so I figured I would save 77.8lbs. and leave the tire at home all the time. Nothing to putting it back on when riding trails.

Terry

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:32 pm

incubusmike wrote:

Once those are out, are there buttons or something to replace them if you want to run the spare on top or somewhere else?

I used some black plastic barbed push pins from Advance Auto parts,there in the "HELP" section and are for a GM car,there are 2 per package,I believe the barbed section is 3/8".They go in hard,I needed to twist them in as I pushed also,but they won't come out on you and look good.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:37 pm

That sounds like a pain to get out though, if possible, Troy. Otherwise perfect.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:42 pm

incubusmike wrote:

That sounds like a pain to get out though, if possible, Troy. Otherwise perfect.

Nothing a few seconds from a drill can't fix.

Inc · **Posted:** Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:50 pm

True.

Richrail · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:23 am

Grainger should have them.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 11:46 am

incubusmike wrote:

snowsport, did you paint your rear shackle or buy it like that? thanks or the idea too.

I strongly suggest you don't paint your shackles. Being a military recovery guy for almost 10 years taught me that painting shackles is a bad idea. The paint will hide stress fractures, cracks, and other weak points. Just my $.02

pokefan · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 1:54 pm

Not saying your wrong KW but if you paint when new wouldn't the paint also show the same signs? I have a hard time believing that fractures in a steel shackle wouldn't also be seen in cheap paint.

KW AV8R · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 8:51 pm

pokefan wrote:

Not saying your wrong KW but if you paint when new wouldn't the paint also show the same signs? I have a hard time believing that fractures in a steel shackle wouldn't also be seen in cheap paint.

You are probably right if you only ever paint your shackles once. I think the main reason this was drilled into me was because once you start to paint them, you continue to paint them to keep them looking nice. The periodic painting is probably what tends to hide stretching, cracks, etc. I apologize for not being able to quote the warning about this but I left my recovery manuals back in the States.

Question: Troy, did those plastic push pins come in different colors than just black? I'm taking my stuff off when I get back but, since all the other trim pieces on my Jeep are gray, I was hoping I could get these in gray as well.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 13, 2008 9:02 pm

Quote:

Question: Troy, did those plastic push pins come in different colors than just black? I'm taking my stuff off when I get back but, since all the other trim pieces on my Jeep are gray, I was hoping I could get these in gray as well.

Might be able to find some gray ones,shouldn't be to hard.

snowsport · **Joined:** Tue Oct 18, 2005 11:52 pm **Posts:** 1211

KW AV8R wrote:

incubusmike wrote:

snowsport, did you paint your rear shackle or buy it like that? thanks or the idea too.

I strongly suggest you don't paint your shackles. Being a military recovery guy for almost 10 years taught me that painting shackles is a bad idea. The paint will hide stress fractures, cracks, and other weak points. Just my $.02

Thanks! That makes sense now you mention it. I'll probably just leave it as is for now, and not bother painting it again.

Removing spare tire holder bolts [UPDATED]

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