well i decided i was going to install my brushguard on my 500 cat today, and i ran into one problem after another. first off the roller fairlead needs to come off, torsk wrench, easy, wrong, those things were so cranked down they were busting impact torsk wrenches, and not just one, four. well decided i dont need that off to take off the stock front bumper so i leave it and undue all the bolts on the bumper including the winch. of coarse it would be easier to get it off then on because when i went to put it on i realized that the center supports have three seperate brackets, good luck getting all of those to line up. I would imagine that they clamp them together at the dealer before taking the bumper off to insure that the brackets dont move, so if anyone does this oyu are forwarned. well i ended up cross-threading both bolts and not getting them in so im going to go puck up two more grade 8 bolts tommorrow and try her again. idk if im gonna get them to line up enough to get the bolt started straight but its worth a try. other than that it looks god on there, and looks like it protects a lot more than the stock one. anyone with suggestions, i am open.


Josh

 

I didnt have all those problems, except at the end, getting the bolts lined up on the brackets by the radiator. But other than that, it was fairly simple. I took the old bumper off, with the winch attatched to it, it is easier to take the winch off afterwards. But other than that it went fairly easy. Im not sure why you had such a difficult time, but it happens, and it sucks! Sorry to hear that

 

Yeah, the radiator brackets are the ones causing all of the problems, i should just weld them all together.

Josh

 

i think you need to buy better quality tools as well and are you tightening up the bolts as soon as you get them in? i always get all the bolts started so you have a lil play then i go through and tighten them all down.

 

If your mechanical skills are anything like you typing skills, I can see why you had such a hard time with it. Ha Ha

 

Yeah i was leaving them all loose so i would have some play but that didnt make a big difference because the problem was with the radiator and frame bracket not the bumper itself. I did get it in and it is really strong so it must be ok. and uncle rico, wats wrong with my typing skills?? jk.

Josh

 

Why are you using torque wrenches to loosen bolts?

You mean torx driver bits right? My brush guards get grimy too, but they are allen bolts. I know what you mean that some things dont align well, just takes some time and lube [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

Get some breakfree and let things soak, I dont fully understand what you are trying to do but Im glad your not using my tools. I have never seen torx impact bits, not that they arnt made just never seen them.

My 96 ram cracked its heads, the #4 plug got so hot the electrode split in half. I thought we were going to have to pull the head to get the plug out (didnt know what was wrong yet), but I filled the area with breakfree and let it sit about 2 hours, it finally came out but was definatly a bit scary. After looking at the plugs we knew somthing was wrong, both heads were cracked. Thank god for extended warranties.

 

HickFisher,

I would alo bet if you ever get those bolts out they probably have a little thread loack on them as well. Especially if the winch was installed by a dealer.

When I needed to remove my winch fairlead I noticed the thread lock and heated it with a torch a litte and they came right out.

Getting things lined up can be a real pain, especially with only one set of hands.

SJ

 

If you notice his last post was like 20 days ago, if he hasnt got it together yet, there is no hope

 

lol