Can anyone tell me how you remove the studs from the factory tow hooks that hold on the stock front bumper? I got a warn tube bumper for x-mas and I want to put the factory tow hooks back on with it, but there is no way to get the hooks on with the studs in place. I'll have to remove them and get some longer bolts than the ones that came with it.

I've searched on the forum and found that you have to press them out, but i've never done anything like that before. Can anyone give any tips for how to do that? I was thinking of getting about a 2" long piece of heavy wall tubing and slipping it around the head of the stud and putting it in a vice. That way the threaded end of the studd will be against once side of the vice and the tube around the head against the other side...hopefully this will work...

Also, regarding new bolts, do I just need grade 8 bolts roughly the same diameter as what I'm replacing, only longer, or is there anything else I need to look for specifically as far a strength ratings or things like that?

Thanks in advance.

 

Do you mean use the vice to press the stud out? Unless you have a really heavy duty vice and put a pipe over the handle for leverage, I don't think that's going to be enough force.

Something like a pitman arm puller might work, but that can be dangerous.

You might be able to just pound them out with a sledgehammer, or maybe a machine shop will press them out with an A-frame press for cheap.

 

ive never seen the factory tow hooks off of the bumper

do you have a pic for me of what they look like

then i can base my suggestion on that

 

You could always cut them off flush with a zipcut on a grinder, center punch your studs and drill them out...

 

Grade 8 hardware is lots for what you're doing... I used 1/2" Stainless bolts when I did my bumper... not nearly as hard as a grade 8. But with 4 bolts tightened down on each hook, you'll break your cast tow hook before you shear the bolts off. Just my opinion!