- Joined
- Apr 10, 2016
- Messages
- 1,892
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On a hot day - a hot job!
It was time to remove my very rusty step bumper and replace it with a new old stock straight one.
Easy, just undo a few bolts ......
Well, not too difficult but it faught me every step of the way.
Of the 8 bolts on the top that have the square section to lock it into the hole in the bumper, only 3 of the nuts came off. The other 5 were so stiff they rounded off the square holes - so nothing now to grab hold of!! So, the angle grinder was the only option to cut off the heads of the bolts. Then a similar story on 5 of the 8 lower bolts which were so rusty they rounded off and had to be dressed to create something to get a spanner on. So much for the dilligent application of squirty oil every other day for 2 weeks prior.
Anyway, with lots of smashing of rusty brackets and subsequent grinding off, suddenly the coast was clear for the new one. Its finished with a charcoal colour which I'm not sure about so may get it chromed instead as the front one is chrome or perhaps paint them both??
So, for now the new bumper is on but will need a decision soon.
The fog lights were mounts each side of the tow bar for now but not sure they will meet the mot std.
The truck is going in for some welding and painting soon, so the bumper will come off to provide better access to the rear quarters. I will then need to settle on a plan.
The next job is to replace the rusty lower tailgate with a NOS item. Expecting simmilar aggro there too.
It was time to remove my very rusty step bumper and replace it with a new old stock straight one.
Easy, just undo a few bolts ......
Well, not too difficult but it faught me every step of the way.
Of the 8 bolts on the top that have the square section to lock it into the hole in the bumper, only 3 of the nuts came off. The other 5 were so stiff they rounded off the square holes - so nothing now to grab hold of!! So, the angle grinder was the only option to cut off the heads of the bolts. Then a similar story on 5 of the 8 lower bolts which were so rusty they rounded off and had to be dressed to create something to get a spanner on. So much for the dilligent application of squirty oil every other day for 2 weeks prior.
Anyway, with lots of smashing of rusty brackets and subsequent grinding off, suddenly the coast was clear for the new one. Its finished with a charcoal colour which I'm not sure about so may get it chromed instead as the front one is chrome or perhaps paint them both??
So, for now the new bumper is on but will need a decision soon.
The fog lights were mounts each side of the tow bar for now but not sure they will meet the mot std.
The truck is going in for some welding and painting soon, so the bumper will come off to provide better access to the rear quarters. I will then need to settle on a plan.
The next job is to replace the rusty lower tailgate with a NOS item. Expecting simmilar aggro there too.
