Help. I am in the middle of replacing my tonneau cover module and ran into a little problem. Well the instructions say to remove the right hand side stainless steel panel first and then the cargo tie down at the RH front of the box. It really should have been the other way around because the tie down caused my ratchet to be placed at a slight angle and now I've stripped the torx bolt. I think I can get that out but the problem is I need to remove the box cargo chrome tie down. How the heck do you remove it? I tried screwing it out and it does not come out. I tried pulling it out and it still won't come out. I know it is supposed to be removable. Help.

 

I am at the point of utter frustration. I took a look at my torx bit and the end of it is twisted up from trying to remove this bolt. Must have been a cheap set I bought. So I went to the store to buy a new 30 torx bit. It works like a charm, and then the bolt breaks off since it was most likely rusted to the threads. Great. Well at least I got the RH panel removed.

Then I use my logic to determine that the box cargo chrome tie downs are held in from underneath the box with a nut. It looks like it is probably rusted on too. So now I'm thinking of just taking all the bolts off that hold the front panel.

 

Don't mess with the tie downs. Don't listen to the book. Just take the bedside panels off and bend the front panel up (carefully) to get enough room to get to the module. The tiedowns are held on from underneath, and they suck to do even when they aren't rusted.

 

I tried liquid wrench on the completely rusted tie down bolt and it didn't budge. Soooooo, I took the 8 screws off that hold the top of the front panel on. That worked wonders. I now have complete acces to the module. Now to my added frustration I discover that I need a deep socket 10 mm socket to remove the 2 module screws. I say deep socket because the studs the module nuts screw into are too long for me to get a regular socket on it. Wouldn't you know it I only have a regular 10 mm socket.

Arrrggggggggghhhhhh. I have to put this thing somewhat together again and go to the local 24 hour Meijer and hoped they carry a deep socket 10 mm like I need. Son-of-a-%$#^$%^. Don't try this at home kids!!!!!!!!!

 

Fun, ain't it?

 

I can feel for you guys, Glad i live in sunny Az. no rust to deal with. Nothing worse than not having the right tool for the job either.