Here are some tips, I learned along the way
Disassembly Tips
- There is a rubbery sticky substance that goes over the front of the rollbar to the tub. I had all of the bolts out and had to goggle rollbar remove becuase I thought I missed a bolt somewhere.
- If a button head torque bolt strips. If it is out a few threads, you can drive on one of the sockets for rounded bolts and turn it right out.
Tool Tips
Torx bits
- Make sure you use torx bits that have a lifetime warranty. So far I have had to exchange 8 bits. I have used broken Craftsman, Harbor Freight’s Pittsburg and Icon. Pittsburg was the only ones I found that are 1/2″ drive. On one of the windshield bolts I twisted a Pittsburg, I replaced it, I twisted the replacement on on the same bolt. The Icon version took that bolt out and a few more before it broke. I took the last four out with the replacement Icon bit without issue.
- When it comes to the front bumper/tow hook bolts. I started removing them before I had the icon. I stripped two and got two out before I purchased the Icon bits. The icon bit got one out and actually broke the one bolt. They are 3/8″ drive bits, but I put a 3/4″ rachet on it and it held up.
- Harbor Freight was very nice with their warranty replacement.
- Lowes replacement of the torq bit replacement was fine, but that ended quick, see below on tool warranty
Bolt Extractors
- Bolt extractors for removing rounded bolts have come in very handy. For small hex bolts the Pittsburg brand worked fine. When it came to one of the roll bar bolts that stripped. The Pittsburg one, would not grip the bolt head. The Irwin one removed the bolt with no problem.
Kobalt’s “Hassle-free lifetime guarantee” is a lie.
My torq bits were returned without much hassle. I went in to replace a 1/2″ drive ratchet, that would only loosen and a 3/4″ ratcheting wrench that no longer ratcheted. Their sales rep looked at both and agreed they would not work. My return was refused. I was told I exceeded my limit of returns and needed to contact corporate, there was nothing they could do. I asked if the “Hassle-free lifetime guarantee” printed on the box was a lie? I was told, if I could provide a receipt, I could make the exchange. They gave me a phone number and an email address. Of course, the office was not open at that time. I emailed them. The next day I got a response saying they forwarded my “inquiry” to the store manager where I tried to make the exchange. The next day a manager called me and wanted more details than what was in the email. He said he had no idea why the exchange was refused, he would talk to the cashier and let me know. The next day I got a message. I could return the tools either the next evening. I went in and a different manager was there. I was told Kobalt and Craftsman now have a 90-day warranty and I was out of luck without a receipt. I asked why they are still selling them with boxes that say lifetime warranty and their signage says lifetime warranty. The manager approved the approval and walked away. The cashier said this just started a few days ago. She gave me the number to call with Kobalt support. I called and they said from now on, I need to call them and get an RMA before I can return any tools. I will not purchase another tool from Lowes. I wish Home Depot was closer to get other items I normally purchase from Lowes.