Roof Rack screw lug, blind nut removal

Hi. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove these lugs/blind nuts from the roof of a 1999 mounty? These are the nuts that the roof rack screws go into. I'm painting the truck and have removed the roof rack, I want to shave these and fill the holes. Thank you

 

[MONMIX]

A grinder will do the trick.

If you are fielding opinions though I would just leave them as is.
They are on the roof and you cant see them unless you are over six feet tall.

That is what I did on mine, but I am five foot seven.

Plus filling the holes would be a pretty fair amount of work.

 

[Swervedriver]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I was hoping for an easier solution. Yeah, I'll probably cut or grind them out so I can smooth them, I already have about 30 holes to fill from removing the plastic body trim. Tons of holes, I wish Ford had used tape on the rear trim pieces like the side trim instead of using clips through the body.

 

[Turdle]

My answer--post 7 here


http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=199154&highlight=tahoe+roof+rack+delete

I used a forstner drill bit to drill flat bottom holes, not all the way through the rubber strips.

http://www.hectorshardware.biz/shop/product.asp?dept_id=72204&sku=321039&

 

[swshawaii]

Stainless allen set screws and silicone. Reinstall if needed or to sell the vehicle.
Unless you are looking for them, they're barely noticeable once they're painted.

 

[Swervedriver]

excellent, thanks guys. I'm leaving them in.

 

[swshawaii]

A drop of blue Loctite on the threads will prevent them from falling into the roof.

A dozen screws rolling in the ceiling would get annoying rather quickly. LOL

 

[mcclureautomotiv]

Hi. Does anyone have a suggestion on how to remove these lugs/blind nuts from the roof of a 1999 mounty? These are the nuts that the roof rack screws go into. I'm painting the truck and have removed the roof rack, I want to shave these and fill the holes. Thank you

I know it's an old thread, but I filled mine with seam sealer until I did the paint. Then I had to drill all those threaded inserts out and weld the holes. It was the most tedious part of the repaint!

 

[2TimingTom]

Does anyone know how to get these buggers out? The rear screws on both sides didn't come out when I removed the rack. The nut just spins freely. And the head of one screw is stripped.

 

[mcclureautomotiv]

Does anyone know how to get these buggers out? The rear screws on both sides didn't come out when I removed the rack. The nut just spins freely. And the head of one screw is stripped.

You can access the other side by taking the headliner down.

 

[2TimingTom]

Do you need to remove seats to get the side panel trim pieces out?

 

[mcclureautomotiv]

Do you need to remove seats to get the side panel trim pieces out?

I just folded the seats down, took everything loose, then slid the headliner out through the back. It seemed easier than taking the panels all the way off!

 

[2TimingTom]

Thanks. I ended up just getting the rear panels loose so I could drop the back of the headliner.