Can't get bottle opener off.

[trcroyle]

I'm trying to install a tailgate assist, but I can't for the life of me get the bottle opener off. The bolts just spin in space, with zero give on the tie down. Using a T30 Plus bit, so the heads are fine. Any tips on how to get these out? Are the threads stripped on both of them?

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[Mr Pibb]

Do you have some locking pliers?

 

[icegradner]

Save yourself a lot of headache and just drill it out.

 

[tom_tucker]

Save yourself a lot of headache by not installing tailgate assist.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I'm trying to install a tailgate assist, but I can't for the life of me get the bottle opener off. The bolts just spin in space, with zero give on the tie down. Using a T30 Plus bit, so the heads are fine. Any tips on how to get these out? Are the threads stripped on both of them?

Definitely keep trying. The tailgate damper is definitely worth the effort.
Good luck,

GB
Just let it drop.

 

[Exranger]

Drill out and replace

 

[Mr Pibb]

Drill out and replace

If the bolt is just spinning the drill is just going to spin it in place. Maybe you get lucky and it grabs or maybe it just gets worse.

 

[Billy2mav]

Put the tailgate assist on the other side.

 

[BOB225DUSTER]

Have you tried to remove the tail gate access panel ? At least that would allow you to look inside to see why the bolts are spinning.
If you spun the fastner the wrong way you may have broke the factory weld on the threaded nut inside the gate. That weld wasn't meant to take a lot of force - once the screw was in it did it's job.
With the access panel off you could possibly get to the nut which would make life easier removing the screw.
I had no issue installing mine and it works great.
Good luck

 

[KEMeyer]

Save yourself a lot of headache by not installing tailgate assist.

I love my tailgate assist. It's pretty handy when holding stuff with both arms. Just unlatch and let it go.

 

[BoskoPColtrane]

Save yourself a lot of headache by not installing tailgate assist.

Why not?

 

[SamFranco]

I'm trying to install a tailgate assist, but I can't for the life of me get the bottle opener off. The bolts just spin in space, with zero give on the tie down. Using a T30 Plus bit, so the heads are fine. Any tips on how to get these out? Are the threads stripped on both of them?

First its not a bottle opener its a tie down for when the tailgate is down. Secondly, I love my tailgate assist. So convenient when my hands are full and I just open the gate and it slowly lowers instead of crashing down.

Mine came off with no problem. Didn’t even have to remove the tailgate liner. Just used a ratchet wrench.

 

[tom_tucker]

I love my tailgate assist. It's pretty handy when holding stuff with both arms. Just unlatch and let it go.

Welcome to AARP! Not a lifetime shock is it? Let us know when it fails and you need to replace it.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

First its not a bottle opener its a tie down for when the tailgate is down. Secondly, I love my tailgate assist. So convenient when my hands are full and I just open the gate and it slowly lowers instead of crashing down.

Mine came off with no problem. Didn’t even have to remove the tailgate liner. Just used a ratchet wrench.

Sam,
Trcroyle is right. Ford's website refers to them as bottle openers. Every video review of the Maverick I've watched, refers to them as bottle openers. I actually had never officially heard of them referred to as tie downs. I knew what they were.
So give the guy a break he was actually right calling it a bottle opener.
People get their shorts in a bunch over semantics.
Why don't we agree, it's a multi-use tie down point and bottle opener.

GB

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

I love my tailgate assist. It's pretty handy when holding stuff with both arms. Just unlatch and let it go.

Same here.
It was a little tough, breaking the habit of trying to catch the tailgate. Just pull the latch and let It Go.

Welcome to AARP! Not a lifetime shock is it? Let us know when it fails and you need to replace it.

I am almost 70.
I guess I'll notify you too.

GB
Just let it fall.

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