I just installed mine today; instructions weren't overly clear in my opinion. I assume the black plastic nut/gasket goes between the extender and the screw hole in the truck bed. Getting those big T50 Torx head bolts started was tough (maybe there was some spray-in bed liner material in there) but I've torqued them down about as far as I can and I've still got a ton of play in that pivot point. I'm afraid if I try to torque them down any more I'll strip something or snap them off. Anyone experience the same? Hoping I haven't installed something wrong.



Shows the black plastic sleeve between extender and truck body


this pic and the next show how much play there is .... maybe normal

 

Those are shoulder bolts, they only go in so far, and there will be some play in it. I just removed mine, and those bolts can be a real buggar after being in for nearly 2 years. Looks like there is some corrosion with mine, but mine came out of my busted 2014 and is not the correct one for the 15+. The washer does go between the bed and extender too.

 

Back them out and spray threads with any decent lubricant. PB Blaster works and the lub will make them go in much easier. Also MUCH easier if you need to remove them later on. Your install looks exactly the same as mine. Previous poster noted they are shoulder bolts so they can only tighten so far. If not then the bed extender wouldn't be able to flipped over easily.

BTW love my bed extender and use it all the time. Also great for stopping items from sliding all the way forward in the bed.

 

 

The bolts are self tapping, so that wont do much. The inserts have no threads and is soft aluminum.

 

 

Dont worry, my Torx is twisted from removing and installing mine several times to install the bedrug in the 14, then to reinstall them in the 16 and then to install the bedrug in the 16. They are not the easiest things to install.

 

 

You are more likely to break the Torx bit then breaking those bolts. They are usually installed with an air wrench when ordered at the factory.

 

I agree with using a tap to clean the threads even if you are using a self tapping bolt. There is no use messing up the threads on the hardware if there is a tool available to prevent the problem in the first place.

It is like the Lock-Tite some companies pre-apply to screws and bolts and then send to you to use them to assemble the product once it is purchased (like lawnmowers from Husqvarna). I always use a tap and die to clean the threads and then add a dot of my own blue Lock-Tite when I thread them together. It just works better that way.