Spray in Bed Liner and Bed Bolts

[rdr854]

Yesterday, I stopped by my local Line-X dealer for a quote on a spray in bed liner. During the course of the conversation, the Line-X dealer stated that they could no longer remove the bed bolts unless I provided a new set. The reason is because Ford apparently issued a bulletin that the bolts are single use. Thus, they will end up spraying over those bolts - just like the OEM provided spray in bed liner.

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[beatle]

According to the age of this thread, it seems like this has been a thing for at least a few years:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1563931-line-x-and-1-time-use-bed-bolts-4.html

Looks like the bolts are some kind of trilobular design that cuts their own threads. Here is an example of a trilobular bolt. Note the odd cross section.

https://www.mcmaster.com/tri-lobula...unded-head-thread-forming-screws-for-plastic/

Strange that the installer wouldn't tape over the bolt heads before spraying, then just peel off afterwards. A few people in that thread say you can peel off the Line-X with a utility knife if you need to get to the bolt head. Some also said the bed may vibrate if reusing the bolts, or you can use Loctite when reinstalling them, though I guess that's not an option if you're taking it to a shop that says they won't reuse them.

How much did they quote you? I hear the Line-X is nicer than OEM and a bit cheaper to boot.

 

[saturnschildren]

Excuse my ignorance, but why wouldn't you want to spray over the bed bolts?

 

[rdr854]

As I think about it, spraying over the bolts that hold the bed to the chassis should not be a big problem. Chances are that if you are having to remove the bolts, messing up the spray in bed liner is the least of your problems.

 

[bryan995]

Having LineX done tomorrow. So the consensus is to spray over the bolts eh? Sounds like even supplying new ones comes with risk that it won’t be as tight as original.

 

[ErichKeane]

Having LineX done tomorrow. So the consensus is to spray over the bolts eh? Sounds like even supplying new ones comes with risk that it won’t be as tight as original.

My last truck they had painted over it, and it wasn't a problem. It would PROBABLY be a bigger issue if you ever wanted a 5th wheel or something.

 

[JustaProGuy]

Having LineX done tomorrow. So the consensus is to spray over the bolts eh? Sounds like even supplying new ones comes with risk that it won’t be as tight as original.

Spray over them, I'll be doing the same based on the recommendation from linex

 

[Alan168]

FYI, I just had Line-X put a spry-in bedliner on my new Lightning. They said they would NOT guarantee the job if they sprayed over the bed bolts. I talked to the Ford dealer and they said it's ok to remove the bed bolts and reuse them, so that's what Line-X did. For better or worse?!

 

[jerock]

Linex sprayed over mine. They said nothing about voiding the warranty. I’ll be pretty upset if that is the case

 

[merek]

I talked to the shop that did my non-LineX about this -- they sprayed over them, not really sure why you would ever really want to remove them without having to do major work already.

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