I'm screwed?

[Roustabout]

Hey all, I have taken the doors and top off my FJ40 now attempting to install side mirrors that attach under the windshield. These four stainless screws are vexing me, can not get them loose. Before I end up breaking them wondering if anyone cares to offer suggestions. Penetrating oil does not seem to do anything, nervous about attempting to heat the zerks... very hard to access. Phillips head socket offer better torque? If anyone has experience to share it is welcome.

By the way. There is every indication the red is original paint but I am left wondering... first time I have taken the top off an FJ and I see this band of different color. Could that be primer and the vehicle was painted with the top on... or that is perhaps actually the stock color? Photo attached.

Also by the way, as I learn to use the forum. If I get multiple replies to a question and send a thanks all on one post, does everyone in the thread see that. I want to send my appreciation and find myself going to each post to do so.

And, thanks all for taking a look at this.

 

[brian]

Chances are you are screwed...as they do not look tight.
Later trucks were assembled after being primed and colored while together.
The primed and unpainted bit is original.
You have to "like" each post you decide to like.

 

[Roustabout]

Chances are you are screwed...as they do not look tight.
Later trucks were assembled after being primed and colored while together.
The primed and unpainted bit is original.
You have to "like" each post you decide to like.

Got it and thanks. They are tight, I may attempt acquiring a ratchet bit... think they are a #3 Philips head. Only four to address, two on each side to get the side mirrors mounted.

 

[grayjs]

Impact screwdriver. The type that you hit the end with a big hammer.

 

[Gearhead]

Best to use an impact screwdriver and penetrating oil. Stainless steel fasteners have a rough texture and tend to "grab" the threaded material.

 

[Ming89FJ62]

This will do it...

 

[SergP]

For me only JIS (Japanese industrial standard) screwdriver and penetrating oil work.

 

[Living in the Past]

Later trucks were assembled after being primed and colored while together.

Never seen a tub not painted where the hard top bolts on. Areas still in primer was were hinges and the like. Curious the paint code on the under the hood VIN plaque?

 

[reddog90]

Are you sure they're #3 philips? Or do you need some vessel tools?

 

[Roustabout]

Attached. I do not know how to interpret.

 

[Roustabout]

Are you sure they're #3 philips? Or do you need some vessel tools?

Not certain

 

[Roustabout]

For me only JIS (Japanese industrial standard) screwdriver and penetrating oil work.

Thanks for this interesting distinction for the driver heads. Please excuse the naïve question.... to double check... Right or left turn to loosen these?

Seems impossible to get penetrating oil into these very tight/stuck locations.

 

[reddog90]

The vessel tools I mentioned are JIS tips.

 

[SergP]

Thanks for this interesting distinction for the driver heads. Please excuse the naïve question.... to double check... Right or left turn to loosen these?

Seems impossible to get penetrating oil into these very tight/stuck locations.

I actually using JIS bit with adapter for socket wrench. I have spray a penetration oil form the 45 degree angle try get it in. After 1 hour press hard on socket head and slowly turn anticlockwise.

 

[brian]

Impact screwdriver. The type that you hit the end with a big hammer.

those things work magic as long as the item you're working on is solid.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

I recommend using Kroil (Kano Labs) for the penetrating oil. Either way, there's plenty of space under the screw heads to squirt the oil into the threads. Don't try using a screw driver until you've loosened them with an impact driver with the proper size bit. Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey. Make sure that the bit is pressed tightly against screwhead as you tap with hammer.

 

[brian]

Never seen a tub not painted where the hard top bolts on. Areas still in primer was were hinges and the like. Curious the paint code on the under the hood VIN plaque?

this has been pretty well documented on mud here.

 

[Blue77FJ40]

Also, once you get the screws out, I'd verify that the thread pitch is correct on them. IIRC, it should be 8 x 1.25mm. You may want to clean out the screw holes with a tap and blow out chips with compressed air. Then add a dab of anti-seize on the threads as the metals are dissimilar.

 

[thecrazygreek]

This has NEVER let me down...

No pre-lube needed. Mine is a different model than this one but man it is nice.

An air impact driver that attaches to an air hammer.

You can do bolts, screws whatever...

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

I had a tough time with these as well. I stripped one with a standard JIS screwdriver before I switch to a JIS drill bit in a battery powered impact drill and it knocked out all but the stripped one.