Ugh, those damn gas tank bolts!

[88 Fox GT]

So, I have my '88 on the hoist right now trying to get the bolts out for the fuel tank straps. (I gotta fix my sending unit.) Even with an air impact, they are being a bitch. Anyone else have this problem when dropping your tank?

I might try going through the floor of the hatch and shoot some WD-40.

 

[jb89coupe]

Mine were a pain but they came out with an impact gun. If you can get to the bolts, try shooting them with some blaster, or heating them with a torch.

 

[woodyy24]

yeah took me about ten minutes on each with and impact. just keep at it.

 

[TheUser]

The first couple times I dropped mine, I used an impact. This last time (2 days ago) I used a ratchet and did it by hand (the air wasn't working very well for some reason). I've done mine so many times in the last 2 years that the bolts don't have time to rust/corrode.

PB Blaster seems to be better than WD 40 in my opinion. Shoot some PB blaster on there, wait a couple minutes, crank the air tank up to 100psi and let her rip. I think you should be able to hit it w/ the pb blaster from under the car; not sure how you plan to do it from the hatch, but I've never tried that either.

Good Luck

 

[88 Fox GT]

Well, I guess I can't lube the bolts through the hatch, there's no where to get to them through there.

I still couldn't get them out. I give up. Everytime I try to work on this car it turns out as a failure and a complete waste of my time, because of stupid s**t like this.

 

[TheUser]

Well, I guess I can't lube the bolts through the hatch, there's no where to get to them through there.

I still couldn't get them out. I give up. Everytime I try to work on this car it turns out as a failure and a complete waste of my time, because of stupid s**t like this.

I've felt the same way many a time man....don't give up. I've found that perserverence is the solution. Don't get mad; if you're mad, just walk away and do something else for a while or you'll end up breaking stuff and costing yourself more time/money.

My Quad shocks were stuck on; I couldn't even get them off w/ WD-40, a propane torch, and 120psi of air on an air ratchet. Yesterday, I squirted them w/ some PB Blaster, got a 15inch pry bar to put over my ratchet, got the right angle, put a little muscle into it and they came off. Patience is a virtue

 

[DMAN302]

Well, I guess I can't lube the bolts through the hatch, there's no where to get to them through there.

I still couldn't get them out. I give up. Everytime I try to work on this car it turns out as a failure and a complete waste of my time, because of stupid s**t like this.

When you own a 5.0 there is no 5minute job...more like the 5hour job..I hate/love my car...depending on the day, and the job that needs to be done.

 

[88 Fox GT]

My impact is kind of weak when it comes to removing bolts. Maybe I will borrow a better one from someone.

 

[emeraldcoupe]

i just dropped the tank out of my 86 parts car and used my air ratchet. they were tight but were out in under 1 minute

 

[BLOWN 5.0 FOX]

I believe it was 13mm when I did mine- make sure your using the right size ratchet. I also used PB , especially on my trim rings for both my fuel pump and sending unit. cover the ring with PB and let it sit for 5-10min then again spray around the ring- this will keep the ring intact and free from binding. GOOD LUCK

 

[mjbtv]

Those strap bolts are of the locking type and they are not supposed to come out easy. PB Blaster and time is what you need.