Front Tow Hook Bolt Removal & Re-Install

I was looking at removing the front row hooks to paint them and then re-install them. I was wondering if I needed a air powered impact gun to remove the bolts or possibly could I get them off with a standard socket wrench. Didn’t want to bust the bolt and get the threaded part stuck. I have a 2018 crew max with roughly 34,000 miles on it. Truck has been in the northeast through some harsh winters here in the Northeast. Thanks for the help

 

Use a breaker bar with the right sized socket. Remove. Paint. Re-install to proper torque specs.

 

@Black Wolf - remember your other sage advice Matt - "Don't use a breaker bar on the torque wrench."

 

Fake news. Ha! How in the hell could you use a breaker bar on "the torque wrench"??? Nonsense. The breaker bar is to "break loose" the "hook" bolts. When re-installing the "hooks", torque to spec. Next....

 

@Black Wolf
Sorry I thought you were the one who provided that advice on another thread - https://www.tundras.com/threads/wha...d-gen-tundra-today.713/page-1667#post-2042807
I agree with you completely.

 

I just did this! I tried with my regular socket wrench but I couldn't get them to budge. I tried my impact wrench to see if I could get some movement, no dice. I picked up an affordable breaker bar and had those bolts off in a few seconds.
Many recommend just using some piping to slip over your socket wrench handle to make a cheater bar. I had nothing that fit so had to go to store so I figured I'd just buy a breaker bar.

 

I'm old. Not that dumb anymore

 

See!!!!

 

Also, you might have some surface rust between the tow hooks and frame, I had to go back to get a wire brush attachment for the drill. If you are going to the store, might be worth picking one up for a few bucks and save yourself the trip (unless you already have one)

 

Excellent point if you live where salt is used. Very good observation!

 

I'm in Texas and have only had my truck in rain. From other posts and threads here it seems they don't paint before installing the tow hooks so there is unfinished metal there. The rust wasn't bad but I couldn't live with not addressing it. But now I have 2 wire brush attachments for my drill so I'm ready the next time I find minor rust lol

 

You will find out that breaker bar comes in handy when breaking loose lug nuts when dipshits air torque them down. Again... re-torque to specs!

 

@RobertD and @Black Wolf. I appreciate the advice and the info. I was just talking to a friend of mine and he recommended the “cheater” bar as well. Not sure why I didn’t think of this. Again I really appreciate it

 

There are a lot of members here with a wealth of knowledge. More than me. I only know what I know. Stick around.

 

First...not wise to use long pipe cheater on a ratchet due to the fact that you will likely ruin the ratchet. Secondly...if you insist on cheating you likely have a good sized box end wrench around and don't need to go buy a pipe. Just slip the loop over the ratchet handle and you have more leverage at your fingertips. Furthermore, you can also put the box end of a combo wrench on a bolt and slip the loop of another wrench on the open end to also "cheat". Beware as "cheating" is obviously dangerous! That being said, I have been very successful with good quality tools and cheating. Also destroyed a few cheap ratchets while receiving my "lessons"! Hint: 1/2" drive craftsmen or s&k both hold up really well under extreme stress.

 

Or...just use a breaker bar with the correct size socket.......see post #2

 

or, forget the breaker bar and torque wrench... close one eye and start rattle can spraying at random.

 

24" BREAKER AT HARBOR FREIGHT , AND CORRECT SOCKET, PREFERABLY DEEPWELL SO NOT WORKING AT ANGLE. Also if you can break that bolt off , you are definitely THE MAN on this forum. Also main reason for 24" breaker is I keep it in truck with lug socket for initial removal , quick and fast.

 

I just did this last week. Used a socket and some muscle. Take a look. Went with krylon and sprayed painted them with my son. We had fun and they look good to me.

 

PB Blaster

 

Or you could just get a Milwaukee 2767-20 with 1400 ft-lbs of torque.

 

I just liked up 24" breaker bar from Lee Valley (looks like my USA made Husky stuff) for $20 and a couple of Husky Torque wrenches (1/2" and 3/8") to use for truck stuff.

Maybe I'll spruce up my tow hooks this weekend.

As other have said ...breaker bar to loosen, torque wrench to tighten. Never use a breaker bar to tighten stuff down if you care about it.

 

Thanks for all the help. I was finally able to get around to doing this mod.

 

I’m looking to do the same here. What size socket did you use to remove the bolts on the hook itself? Thanks

 

Just get under and check, they aren't hidden or odd sized.

You can actually reach them without even laying in the ground.

I didn't even take note of the socket size after I got the one that fit.

 

Just did mine. Simple 19mm socket off and on.

 

I tried a couple of sockets (22, 19, 18) all were too big. I’ll keep digging around with my tools lol

 

I needed a breaker bar to get mine off and they aren't that old. Hopefully yours come off with a standard socket wrench.

Put them back on with a torque wrench.

 

Might be 17mm?

 

Might be.