Tow Hooks Won't Fit Back Into Place

[marine_devildog801]

I took my bull bar off of my truck today and i now have a problem. I went to replace the tow hooks and the driver's side WILL NOT go back in. I think the problem is that when I put the bolts onto the bull bar through the tow hook holes it bent the tow hook slot inward because the nuts were too tight. The tow hook is too wide by maybe a 16th of an inch. Any advice??? I am SOOO frustrated right now.

[Grebbler]

You needed to use a spacer in place of the tow hook so the pocket don't get squished.

 

Use a Porta Power expanding jaws type tool or make a steel wedge w/long handle to open the pocket back up.

 

You may be able to use a hammer and a piece of steel rod through one hole and tap the backside of the other. Switch holes and repeat.

[Ape0r]

You needed to use a spacer in place of the tow hook so the pocket don't get squished.

 

Use a Porta Power expanding jaws type tool or make a steel wedge w/long handle to open the pocket back up.

 

You may be able to use a hammer and a piece of steel rod through one hole and tap the backside of the other. Switch holes and repeat.

 

I would just shave some material off of the tow hook. I cut a bit off of each of mine with a dremel so that I could have them installed with my grill gaurd. Unfortunately, a sixteenth is too much for any cute tricks (ie, putting the tow hook in the freezer).