Stripped Hardtop Thread from Factory - Suggestions ?

[Larry Gates]

I’ve had my Bronco for about a week and just now getting around to checking out everything closely. I was looking around in the back and noticed one of my hardtop mounting bolts sticking up about 3/8 inch. I tried to screw it on down but it would not budge. I took it out and tried reinstalling but it got to that same point and stopped.

That’s when I decided to look on here just to see if anyone else might have something similar and wahlah- here it is. Same bolt same side. The guy responsible for that bolt on the line must have been having a bad day(s). I’m going to try a shorter bolt in that spot for now and use that one in place of the one behind it as the torx is all wallowed out on it in addition to this issue. Good times!! Still love the Bronco

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[Blu6GBronco]

I’ve had my Bronco for about a week and just now getting around to checking out everything closely. I was looking around in the back and noticed one of my hardtop mounting bolts sticking up about 3/8 inch. I tried to screw it on down but it would not budge. I took it out and tried reinstalling but it got to that same point and stopped.

That’s when I decided to look on here just to see if anyone else might have something similar and wahlah- here it is. Same bolt same side. The guy responsible for that bolt on the line must have been having a bad day(s). I’m going to try a shorter bolt in that spot for now and use that one in place of the one behind it as the torx is all wallowed out on it in addition to this issue. Good times!! Still love the Bronco

Hey Larry,

Sorry you're going through something similar. I did buy the proper tap, remove the hardtop and gently chase the thread and it's been fine since. However that said, while the top was off, I did notice something for the other thread locations on that passenger side which may have been a contributing factor. I noticed that on the hardtop holes on that side which the torq bolts go through to secure the top, that all the holes in mic / fiberglass top were drilled out oblong / irregular. This is in contrast to the driver side that were all perfectly round for the bolt locations. It's as if the hardtop holes on passenger side were originally off and they had to elongate the holes to align properly to allow the bolts to thread. Hind sight, I did notice that there was a considerable amount of tension on the bolts on that side due to how tight those holes were to the threads, so much that the hardtop had decent thread marks on the mic / fiberglass holes / mounting points. For what it's worth, that might be a contributing factor. Still love everything about the Bronco, just a minor bump here or there fortunately.

Hope you figure it out.

 

[Larry Gates]

Thanks for the reply. That’s the only bolt I’ve had out but did notice the hole was right on the edge - just barely allowing the bolt to start. Guess it would be best to pull the top now and check everything out and fix what needs fixed. Did you have any issues pulling the top off I might need to know?

Just to affirm - what exact tap size did you use? Thanks again.

 

[Blu6GBronco]

Thanks for the reply. That’s the only bolt I’ve had out but did notice the hole was right on the edge - just barely allowing the bolt to start. Guess it would be best to pull the top now and check everything out and fix what needs fixed. Did you have any issues pulling the top off I might need to know?

Just to affirm - what exact tap size did you use? Thanks again.

Yeah no problem. As for the removal of the hardtop, nothing unique to note. This was actually my first time removing the hardtop, so I just followed the typical steps the Bronco outlines in their video which essentially is removing the front and center panels, all 10 of these bolts on the rear shell hardtop, then Just unplug the wiring and wiper connectors on the driver side and insert them into their designated holding spots in the rear cargo side panel. I installed the hardtop lifter from SmarterHome which made it super easy to slowly lift the hardtop by myself. Conveniently I just raised it high enough to have 6 " or so away from the Bronco's frame, then I carefully took a small stone grinder bit and very carefully dremeled a little of the inside of the hardtop hole(s) on the side just were it was too tight and causing the bolt to be very difficult to remove / bolt.

As for the tap size, it's an 8mm-1.25. Makes sure it's 1.25 and not the other 8mm tap varient that they also sell.

 

[Larry Gates]

Thanks for the info. I appreciate your time!

 

[timpatflanagan]

Hey guys, Curious what everyone's thoughts are.

I just picked up my new 22 4DR BL from the dealer. I've yet to really test her out ( barely 10 miles on her ).

That said, as most of us, I've purchased a handful of goodies in anticipation of her arrival. One of which is the Rock Workx Hard Top Quick Removal T40 Torx Thumb Screws, which are awesome btw ! However this brings me to my observation / issue... While attempting to use the Bronco supplied Torx / socket kit, (1) of the existing OEM bolts on the passenger side which secures the hard top onto the frame, was very difficult to unbolt ( unlike all the others - which were easy ). Come to find out, although the original OEM bolt and the new Rock Workx bolt are very difficult to thread. I was VERY careful not to apply too much elbow grease and tried several times to carefully align the bolt in the thread ....Given I'm the first owner and this is my first attempt to touch these bolts, combined with the fact that the bolt was VERY difficult to remove for the first time, I'm confident the thread was "buggered" from factory.

Now, to be clear, with equal amount of force which was used to remove the bolt for the first time, I am able to re-thread the OEM bolt which does secure the hardtop, but given how much force I have to apply with the wrench, there is absolutely zero chance I can use one of these awesome Rock Workx thumb thread screws in this particular thread. All the other threads are smooth as butter without any tools ( as should be ).

My question is .... Is this something Ford would address / cover given I barely have 10 miles on her ? Not sure if this is something re-threadable with a tap by the dealer ? Or..... I can see between the rear cargo side molding the welded Nut that the bolt screws into, and would imagine by removing the molding, someone could easily tac weld a new Nut underneath...

Thoughts / Recommendations ? Thanks guys !

Exact same bolt, exact same issue. Did tapping it work for you? I swear the bolt looks like it going in cockeyed.

 

[Fabe G]

There is a special service message for this concern for 2024’s,
maybe other years are affected see attached

 

[Larry Gates]

I took my top off to address the one that would not fully seat and ended up having to re- tap three. I assumed the issue was the top but my problem was with the location of the threads on the bronco. There was a definitive spot where the nuts should have been and three were off and did not line up with the holes in the top. I tapped them straight and replaced the bolts with the rockwerx bolts. Had to slightly elongate one hole on the top to get the bolt started straight. All good now.

 

[Dr. Squatch]

Well let me tell you my story. I bought a new 2024 Wildtrak. In early August I attempted to remove my hardtop for the 1st time and found the left rear most fastener difficult to remove. The next on up was even tighter so I stopped at a half-turn. This picture is of the third fastener. This is where I stopped. I live about 90 miles from the dealership. However, I asked my salesman (and sent the attached picture) about it since he has owned several Broncos. His response was "...looks like something if off". The appointment they scheduled form me was 17 Sept.

Technician said I cross-treaded it during installation thus it is not covered under warranty. I explained to the service manager the above whole story. He had my salesman and some manager go out and inspect my vehicle and told me someone would get back to me. Well, it is now Oct 4th and I haven't heard from anyone. We had a couple of storms come close to the area of the dealership but I have think I have given them plenty of time to get back to me. I plan on stoppy by next week but I suspect I am going to get the same "you did it so it's not under warranty.

Up to this issue I have received excellent service from this dealership but all of a sudden things seems to have gone to crap.

Is anyone from Ford reviewing this thread and can offer me advice?

Also, does anyone know if the treads are in a simple a "hole" punched through the sheet metal or is there a nut plate?

Thanks for any advice.

 

[threebanger]

I'm experiencing the same thing on my 24 Everglades. When I went to install my Rockworx, I found one 're-threaded' from the factory. Rockworkx went in 2/3 of the way and bound up (like welded in tight).

 

[Bugkillah]

You literally can see the welded nut is in line with screw, misaligned with frame. Did you get this resolved?

 

[Bugkillah]

I'm experiencing the same thing on my 24 Everglades. When I went to install my Rockworx, I found one 're-threaded' from the factory. Rockworkx went in 2/3 of the way and bound up (like welded in tight).

I had a friend of mine re tap the welded nut, mine was the passenger top nut above b pillar (2 door). Had to reorder the rockworkx for the top (flat, no handle). I mangled the aluminum trying to get it in the first time.

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