Front Tow Hook Bolt Removal & Re-Install

I did it with a standard socket so it wasn't very tight to start. What's the torque rating for reinstallation?

 

I went with 43. There are few numbers floating around the below thread.

 

Thanks. I didn't use the torque wrench but they're definitely more than 43

 

Put a dab of silicone on the threads so they don't rust up next you take them off.

 

Did it with standard wrench. 17mm I think socket. No problem.

 

What did you do to “shadow-out” the oval Toyota grill symbol? Looks awesome.

 

I used a 17mm with extension and a 24" breaker bar

 

Anybody got some advice. The tow hooks that I took off, painted red and reinstalled are starting to chip. I believe that it is because of the salt and sand here in the North East. I just noticed it over the weekend. I was going to repaint them and then put some clear coat on them (something I did not do the first time). I wanted to see if anyone else had this problem and what you did to fix it. Thanks in advance.

 

Those are small enough that I bet you can get them powdercoated for cheap.

 

If the paint is chipping (and you haven’t been hooking cables to them) it probably has more to do with poor adhesion. Most likely due to an issue with surface prep or possibly with the type or quality of paint used.

 

Mine have only been painted a few months and I'm in the south so they haven't seen salt yet. How well did you prep them? I sanded mine with a dremel, primed, painted, then clear coated them. Stretched it out over 2-3 days. No issues what so ever.

 

@d_kinneyjr as others have said, it could be your prep. Also, clear will give you some protection but if you are on roads that kick up a lot, it might be worth spraying them in bedliner or getting them powder coated as mentioned above.

 

Just did mine but didn't clear coat. Wet sanded, degreased, sanded again, degreased, then 4 coats of spray paint. I'm going to see how far that gets me but might go the powder coated route if that doesn't stand up to the Texas summer and roads! Thanks for all the tips.