Hello All,

I recently bought some amp research power boards for my 2018 F150 SC. Everything was going fine with the installation until I got to the last mounting bracket to install. The preinstalled studs that come with the truck are bent to the point where I can't get the idler linkage onto the truck. Pictures below:




The above pictures are the bent studs on the rear driver side. Below are how the other studs look, straight and easy to get the linkage:



So now I'm stuck, with 3 out of the 4 linkages attached.

My question to the community, should I remove the bent studs with a saw, drill my own holes, and attach my own bolt to mount the linkage? Or will this be ineffective? Is there another way I can make this work? Any suggestions appreciated.

 

I would use vice grips, and hammer a wood block against the threads. Or jam 2 nuts on each stud, and put a deep well socket/breaker bar on it and bend it.
That area should bend easy, but still be strong and rigid enough when bent back straight.

 

Thanks for the suggestion I'll try hammering it out but that part is pretty strong. I originally tried with a hammer (no wood block) and the stud literally did not move an inch. I'm really a second away from just removing the studs completely and drilling new holes to mount the boards to.