Recovery hook driver side

steelerdude1 · February 26, 2022

I got a set of red recovery hooks for my 2022 crew cab and I can’t for the life of me figure out how to get the long bolt out of the drivers side. There is a plastic shroud in the way. I removed any bolts for the Schroeder and even took a pry bar to it, it won’t budge.

any suggestions?

steelerdude1 · February 26, 2022

Giving up for today, may just put the other black one back on and be done with it.

Silverado4x4 · February 26, 2022

11 minutes ago, steelerdude1 said:

Giving up for today, may just put the other black one back on and be done with it.

It never fails when installing something its always the last install that there are problems but if it were me, I would take a Dremel and grind that plastic piece off enough to drop the bolt as long it's a lip and not a solid piece stopping the bolt.

Edited February 26, 2022 by Silverado4x4

steelerdude1 · February 26, 2022

1 minute ago, Silverado4x4 said:

It never fails when installing something its always the last install that there are problems but if it were me, I would take a Dremel and grind that plastic piece off enough to drop the bolt.

thanks for replying ,

I tried to get a Dremel in there, there but there is not enough room. Not sure if I can buy a long extension though.

gemarsh · February 27, 2022

How about a sawzall and put the new bolt in from the other direction?

Gangly · February 27, 2022

Both of mine came out easy peasy and I dont recall having any plastic covering anything. 30 seconds with the bumper off if I remember correctly, so I'm not sure what's going on. Is yours a diesel? Mine is a 5.3 so it might not have had that component to begin with on the front end if that's the case.

Edited February 27, 2022 by Gangly

steelerdude1 · February 27, 2022

1 hour ago, Gangly said:

Both of mine came out easy peasy and I dont recall having any plastic covering anything. 30 seconds with the bumper off if I remember correctly, so I'm not sure what's going on. Is yours a diesel? Mine is a 5.3 so it might not have had that component to begin with on the front end if that's the case.

I have the 2.7 turbo

steelerdude1 · February 27, 2022

3 hours ago, gemarsh said:

How about a sawzall and put the new bolt in from the other direction?

I tried that is too. Bolt just wanted to spin. Was afraid to grab it with vice grips in case it didn’t cut through and not being able to use the bolt if it didn’t work

I’m going to try one of the reciprocating dremels and a bolt cutter in the morning.

Edited February 27, 2022 by steelerdude1

latreille89 · February 27, 2022

You need to cut it out. No other way around it. Put a new bolt in after. This goes for the 2.7 and 3.0

redwngr · February 27, 2022

9 hours ago, steelerdude1 said:

I tried that is too. Bolt just wanted to spin. Was afraid to grab it with vice grips in case it didn’t cut through and not being able to use the bolt if it didn’t work

I’m going to try one of the reciprocating dremels and a bolt cutter in the morning.

Maybe a box end wrench?

Maybe a socket on a breaker bar?

Silverado4x4 · February 27, 2022

Put the black ones on then get small paint brush red enamel paint and paint the ones you have, people put the red ones on just for show anyway and never use them, no one will know there painted. I have used mine {black) a few times and still look new I bet the red ones would look like crap if used.

Edited February 27, 2022 by Silverado4x4

steelerdude1 · February 27, 2022

I tried cutting the bolt with bolt cutters (not enough room) a long Sawzall metal cutting blade (put thread locker on, let it set up and held the nut with a wrench). That didn’t work, tried a Dremel oscillating tool with a metal blade still no luck.

Between those 2 tools, I was able to get to the plastic shroud corner cut off and finally got the bolt out. It was very tight, and I am just wondering where they get their engineers, LOL

They are finally both on now!

Had I known this, I probably would not have bought them.

tomthetrex · February 28, 2022

You have to pull the intercooler to get to the bolts. Its a pain in the ass. I had the same experience when switching out my bumper for an aftermarket bumper. The first part of the instructions was to remove the tow hooks. That should have been the last part hahaha. Took forever.....