A-pillar won't come off. HELP!!

[RussJ]

I just tried to install an SRT-10 A-pillar but was stopped before I could even start. One of the bolts that holds it on is either stripped out or the weld nut in the pillar has broken loose. I tried the passenger side as well just to get a better look, but one of those bolts is screwed up too. Anybody have this problem before? Is there any way of fixing it? I need help as soon as possible so I can get my f/p guage in. Thanks!

 

[Diesel Dan]

Hello Russ,

I had the exact problem a few years ago. If i remember right i had to cut the old A pillar into pcs and take it off by destroying it. It didn't matter as i wasn't going to ever use it again. The retention nut on the pillar was turning. The factory assembly monkey evidentually had a few to many banana's that morning. I took the truck to a welder and had the retention nuts tack welded into place and was then able to take the bolt out and install the SRT10 pillar. Don't forget to cover the interior w/ welding blankets to prevent burn holes.



Best regards



DD

 

[ohnoitsyu]

If you do go through the route of cutting it off, I would see if there is a way of using a rivnut instead of welding. (http://www.cardinalcomponents.com/fasteners.htm)

 

[R_Painter]

I had the same problem with me 04. 5 I finally got p*ssed off and ripped the pillar off breaking it in half. . But I felt better after i did it

 

[Cattletrkr]

I had the same problem with me 04. 5 I finally got p*ssed off and ripped the pillar off breaking it in half...

Ditto, almost. I pulled until my pillar cover ripped thru the bolt. It still has a little crease in it from bending too much and the little cover must have vaporized, but It's still there 2+ years and 125k later being held on by one bolt instead of two.

... But I felt better after i did it

I thought I was the only psycho who did stuff like that.

 

[Matt400]

I had that happen :{

Below is after ripping off the pillar cover. What was left was the bolt and nut insert that would just spin. On mine I couldn’t hold the insert from spinning and needed access to the back of it so I drilled a hole behind it.



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Below I wedged a large screwdriver in the back side to hold the thread insert so I could back out the bolt.



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Below and once again I wedged a screwdriver in the back of the thread insert to hold it tight against the pillar and struck the face with a ball peen hammer to tighten up the thread insert.



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On this last pic I used a center punch to dimple and wedge the thread inserts outer ring into the A pillar so it wouldn't turn . After that I was able to reassemble it being careful not to over tighten this time around.



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