sail panel removal Q????

[Hound]

I'm doing the saddle bag wiring for Rod's Mod. In order to do it, you really need to dismount the inside bed liner and swing it away from the metal side of the truck. Really not too bad, BUT...

See the picture attached and someone please tell me how to unscrew this T30 on the underside of the brake sail panel. It seems like there is a clip that the torx screw goes into and that the clip is mounted to the inside sail panel.

But, on my driver's side I could not get that screw to turn counterclockwise. When I finally got the sail panel off, I saw that there is a hole at the point where that screw is and I could reach in there and feel the clip (on the brake sail panel). Even with the inside sail panel off I couldn't get that screw to turn counterclockwise. I wound up making the mounting hole on the inside sail panel a sideways U instead of a hole.

The sail panel went back on fine except that the fit where that screw should be isn't as tight as I would have liked. Its not going to rattle or anything, just bothers me.

If I would have thought about it at the time, I'ld have taken a pick of that round-hole-now-a-sideways-U but its too late for that.

How about some help?? --- Tried to attach the pic but I am getting an error that says it is too large.....

 

[805engineer]

First the part names:

Horizontal part with brake light: Sail bridge
Vertical part facing bed: Inside sail panel

The inside sail panel has a tab with a hole which accepts a u-nut. This looks like a clip with threads. By snapping the u-nut onto the tab it is locked on and will not spin when the screw is turned. This nut and T-30 Torx bolt acts to flush the edge of the inside sail with the bridge.

How is it that the screw does not turn? Either you are not turning hard enough or the u-nut has become detached and is spinning as the screw is turning. This second condition will have you turn all day but not allow you to loosen the screw.

Please verify which condition you have so I can offer a suggestion.

 

[Hound]

Must have been the 2nd condition. The u-nut must not have been fully in place to begin with. It was spinning with the torx bolt and then it was hitting up against something to prvent the torx bolt from turning at all.

When I got the sail panel off, I can see that the outside wall of the tab with the hole is broken loose. So, the "tab with a hole" now looks more like a sideways U with the opening facing the center brake light. That side wall is not totally broken off, but it is opened up.

Seems like I would have to take the sail panel off again. Then, reach behind the sail bridge with a pair of pliers and hold the u-bolt while unscrewing the torx bolt. Once I get the u-bolt off, I can figure out how to remount it to the sail panel. Then reinstall.

Sound right?

Thanks 805.

 

[805engineer]

Hound:

You got it exactly! However, once you get it apart with the tab broken you may have problems getting the bolt back down and tight without the nut pulling off again. The current u-nut has distorted threads to prevent any possible loosening. This distortion causes a significant drag on the threads when you tighten it and may be enough to pull it out before the bolt is down and tight with the broken tab. I can send you an otherwise identical nut without the distorted threads. This will allow you to get it snugged up and then tighten without it possibly popping out. The alternative would be to put the existing nut in a vice and drive the bolt in and out around 10 times. This may wear down the crimp enough to lower the drag enough. Email me with your address if you want the part.