TAHOE GAS TANK STRAP RUSTED STRIPPED BROKEN BOLT REMOVAL

[@joserodriguez4294]

Thank you! I was forced to cut the bolt today. All done!

[@thomasbuchwald5346]

Thanks for the clear side view video. I think I’m going to start out trying to use a multi-tool. I’m not removing the tank, my strap broke.

[@MDTAR15]

i thought about using a sawzall...but decided against when i saw what a pain it was going to be to get the sawzall in there....so, i used a small drill to drill a pilot hole in the bolt head, then moved up to a drill bit that was big enough to pop the head off the bolt as soon as it got thru it. Came right off...then i removed the old rusted stuff from the cavity where it was and put in new hardware. Took me about 15-20 minutes for that portion of the repair.

[@aimized1460]

Thank man I’m going to try this I wrestled with this issue today for 4 hours… the first bolt came out super easy, the 2nd one oh man… the nut is seized on the bolt and they both just spin…

[@kevinfraser640]

But with gas fumes , I am afraid of a spark to ignite the tank. I can cut the bolt head off but this doesn’t seem like a smart option.

[@DaveDeline]

Sawzall one wrong catch and hole in tank.as a welder,fabricator, mechanic. High speed die grinder with carbide bit Air or electric never sparks but use proper PPE.

[@icketysplitlife]

Thanks for info. Had this problem on a GMC Savanna 2500. Reciprocating saw with a 10 “ diamond tipped blade I had both bolts off in 20 minutes…

[@L4ND.SH4RK]

Wish mine is going that easy... leaking fuel line requires me to drop tank on a 2000 Blazer so I've got to slowly cut strap by hand to avoid sparks. Yeah, that tool you were using to point out the rust...fun stuff lol

[@steveoswalt]

I just did this last week. Front bolt was spinning on my 2009 Avalanche. It was all rusted. I chose to grind off the head of the bolt with my die grinder and the most coarse disk I had. Wrapped wet rags all around the frame point and side of the tank to stop a spark from reaching the top of the tank. Took my time and bolt head was completely gone after about 10 patient minutes. Bought new bolts and nuts, and greased the crap out of the mount they sit in so I don't have to worry about it again.

[@Bert6911]

Do you happen to know the bolt kit you used? I haven't been able to find any and the dorman set I found says it's incompatible

[@DaveDeline]

Use anti seize .better than grease. Costs more but worth it.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

Nice vid. I had to get rid off my Astro van because it went from rolling-money-pit to unable-to-stop money pit (rusted out break lines). Secondary reason was i snapped the head off the front driver side gas tank strap bolt. Made no progress drilling it out. Was never able to put more than five gallons in it again due to lack of weight bearing ability.

[@wiggitywhitefox]

That’s freakin wild!, did you resale? Or scap?

[@michaeldunagan8268]

@@wiggitywhitefox Scrap. I live in urban Chicago suburb and I only had street parking so I had nowhere to park the Astro van where I could work on it. It needed a rear axle also, specifically the differential was whining likely the pinion gear. I do miss it's off idle torque though of the 4.3 L Vortect enine. Now I'm driving a Toyota Solara V6 3.0 L where I have to get up at 2,000 RPM to get decent launch off from a standing start. Rides more like a go kart too. Better handling though. I missed the van about five times a year such as right now when I want to rent a core aerator and avoid rental truck cost to get it to my house.

[@roberthentges2852]

Your lucky you had the tank out. Filling my tank and I hear the strap snap. Bought a nice dremel as a present for doing it.

[@dalemihocik4732]

Another way is to use an oscillating multi tool with a metal cutting blade .

[@jakejones2482]

Did that work for you?

[@dalemihocik4732]

@@jakejones2482 Yes, gives better control than sawzall , but you still need to be very careful when cutting.

[@aedanhickey5264]

So you cut yhe bolt but how do you get the rest of the bolt out?

[@NickRanger]

You pull it out it would be floating in place after

[@emmanuelpierre8856]

My guy it was conforting to know I am not alone. I sucked it took hours but I did it!

[@user-fw6eg3hc8f]

So what happens if the whole frame perch s rusted out and busts out around the nut and bolt? Now what new frame perch? Can a guy buy those somewhere?

[@nolanoneal7952]

Similar question

[@MrSmccrillis]

What did you use for the new bolts? Every auto parts store around says they don't have any for my Tahoe.

[@jason22talley]

Use 15mm headbolt for metric or 1/2head bolt for imprail

[@TheFINZFAN]

Good video, thanks for sharing your nightmare with us. I went a different route. Since I was replacing the fuel tank, I put a jack under the strap and raised it high enough to remove the strap from the other side near the driveshaft. The tank and strap needs to be raised about a 1/2 inch to free the strap from the T hangar on the other side. (At the end of the day I did not notice any damage to the old tank.) I was then able to drop the tank and do battle with the bolt and grab the nut with vise grips. Where did you get the replacement bolt and C Clip for the Tahoe? Found it. Dorman Part Number 55157. Comes with 2 clip nuts and 2 bolts. Perfect fit for 2004 Tahoe. Advance Auto or Orioley's Autoparts.

[@RICKAFIX]

Nice finzfan...I think I boght them at napa

[@dylanhucik8594]

I am currently knee deep in this crap. Thanks for this idea!! Getting a sawzaw in on my bolt is not really a feasible way...

[@TheFINZFAN]

@@dylanhucik8594 I am happy to help. I hope you got through that nightmare.

[@ProMinor]

Could also use a mini belt sander to grind away the head of the bolt which I'll be doing soon

[@DaveDeline]

Mini belt sander and 1/2 ton truck repair is new to me.

[@seanfried5583]

Ugh, I spend 2 days getting one of those bolts out of Silverado.

[@FL-rk5kp]

Simalar thing happened to me on my suburban. I didn't have any rust. I put the bolt on a couple of turns and hit it with my impact and it broke that clip part of the bolt (GM calls it a j-bolt) I wasn't sure what to do because it was spinning like you said yours was. I just broke out the dremel. The dremel fit in there perfectly and I was a little worried that the Sparks would mess up the plastic tank. But I just cut off the bolt and and got a new bolt and nut from GM only cost me about $9 from them.

[@RICKAFIX]

+Mitchell Kirkland Nice Mitchell...I have heard great things about the dremel I probably need to get one

[@FL-rk5kp]

+RICKAFIX yes they are great. Just look around for prices, some places charge a lot more than others.

[@nom8er]

Wait, ... what? You put the same crap back on that failed and caused this problem in the first place? Worse yet you paid about five times too much to fix the problem on the hardware. Even worse, you paid the same morons that designed it !

[@daboguillermo3370]

I have a 97 Tahoe. I need to know what size bolts do I need for the brackets

[@SteveRobReviews]

Wow Rick you went full bore on that bolt, man it was you or the bolt ,no mercy at all . Alway nice to see a Dr. Rick vid :)

[@SteveRobReviews]

Maybe time for a new truck soon. I can send you a coupon for a new Gm vehicle at employee cost , has to be on the lot and only till the end of this month or a bit onto nov. lemme know .

[@RICKAFIX]

+Steve Rob ...thanks Steve.... I am going to run this one into the ground.. I complain a lot but i do enjoy the challenge

[@RICKAFIX]

+Steve Rob haha

[@Jon.Rushing]

+Steve Rob What is the discount percent? I'm just curious what kind of discount GM gives their employees.

[@SteveRobReviews]

Jon Rushing it's about $200 over dealers cost plus incentives but you can't get the zero interest rate incentive combined. Now if Rick wanted to buy a new Tahoe he would most likely save about 3-5k more that if he didn't get the employee discount. That Tahoe is an expensive truck but a great vehicle and the most discounts are always on trucks, most cars are almost the same as the general public within 1k. Hope this helps...

[@joeyfromcali]

Great handling that saws all. I know it sucks having that saw bounce all over the place. Sorry but it made me laugh. Becuase i too know how much a jumpy saw sucks. Nice to see it happens to everybody. Nice video

[@RICKAFIX]

thanks Joey..yea the 30 plus year I have had a sawzall in my hand never makes it any easier lol

[@joeyfromcali]

Still Awesome job sir

[@monipeake3974]

Hello! My mechanic is having problems with removing a gas strap from my 1996 chevy cavalier. Pls help!!

[@jessejackson5161]

Much easier just to cut a strap off and get new straps then when tank is down can get to the bolt and clip

[@RICKAFIX]

+JJ Jacksoo yup

[@Alariginal]

How did you get a new bolt in and tight?

[@cashlifenevatel2719]

How did u do it

[@LovenotHate130]

Same problem that’s why I’m here to see you I’m $67 in

[@Mrbulldog301]

I am doing mine now. The one closest to the front was spinning and I have a lot of trouble with walking or working at any capacity. I have done tanks before but I have been at it for a week and that's when I found out the nut was not coming out. I tried everything I could think of. I have a cutting wheel on my air grinder but adding sparks where fumes are strong there was no way I was risking that . I grabbed my mini air jack hammer with a nut splitter blade and cut through in 5 min. That was on the hanger side . Can anyone tell me how low can I drop the tank in order to remove the wire clips before pulling the tank out from under my truck ? I have the tank on a jack but had to go inside to reset . Once I can lower the tank and see the wiring so I can do the job . I have the truck up on ramps so if it's possible to and the wires are long enough does anyone know ? thank you for the video .

[@Rayhan-iz3rh]

What size is the bolt

[@mechanictaft4848]

What about the front one that one is burried ?????

[@NoName-gv9nb]

He's still working on the front one lol

[@2Jeezuzisreal]

What the hell holds the tank up? My rear strap is totally rusted off. Gone. 05 yukon

[@DaveDeline]

My fuel line on 95 tahoe just started leaking. After short inspection I believe tabs thru left frame rail pivot straps toward mounting bolts near driveline? This why searching for info before I dig into it. So far nothing helpful but if your working on fuel tank at least put fire extinguisher nearby so it looks like you know what your doing.

[@kevinpratt418]

I am replacing tank and pump and all straps on a 95 k 1500. What a nightmare. Ebrything is rusted and has to be butchered to come out. Anyone have any tips??? I am dreading this. Bed is off cuz i am painting frame. This is last step to complete semi restoration. Only has 117000 on motor and i bought truck for $350. And put $3000 into it. This is the worst of all other repairs

[@stuzman52]

Glad to see Rick that you got that bolt out of there along with the plate. Good work...

[@RICKAFIX]

+stuzman52 Thanks Terry

[@stealthmoto3470]

I gotta do this to my bravada, looks like a SOB indeed........man I would have lost it lol

[@nathanielbolden5053]

My tank strap bolts are on the driver's side

[@Megan-nm9lz]

Thank you that happened to me i need to see you replace it

[@jasonschultz3179]

cant you measure the blade and the distance you had to NOT hit the tank and grind down the blade to where it wouldnt hit the tank to cut with no worries?

[@jakep5121]

Real men don't measure.

[@marcsmith3881]

The entire mount broke on my customers truck. It rusted through.

[@jakejones2482]

I'm stuck on that right now

[@jonathanpowellOHVfishing]

air chisel 2 seconds done

[@RICKAFIX]

yup

[@jordansheppard6643]

thats a good idea

[@nathanielbolden5053]

I didn't check to see if mine would fit in there!...hmmm!...i guess I'll try!...thanks fellow mechanic!

[@pedallinraw]

🙂👍🏻

[@coles_infiniti]

Damn i hope i dont need to do this..

[@acordboy]

nothing to compare with a 2001 chevrolet express van 2500, ( worst case scenario)

[@cody2097]

Uhh

[@NoName-gv9nb]

Use a multi tool with a metal cutting blade...$13.99 harbor freight