PSA: Beauty Ring Bolts -- Removal Issues & Replacement Cost - BE AWARE!

[gmac]

I would buy the factory one from your dealer and have them install. Worth the money imo. My threads on one rim seemed to be threaded wrong. the rim is threaded for 24 bolts to accommodate the real bead lock. The threads that were not holding the beauty ring would not thread correctly so there was no way they were cross threaded or stripped by myself. Other 4 wheels were fine.

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[awilson]

These are NOT Torx Plus. They are Torx. Stop spreading misinformation.

I did in fact use a TorxPlus bit when I removed mine. I just went back and checked and sure as shit, I used a TP40, not a TP45 or T45. Probably why I stripped a few with the power ratchet Thanks for the correction.

 

[2023bronco]

I feel so old school and slow...so many people put a power tool to anything with threads on it. I always reach for a ratchet or breaker bar unless I need a couple hundred lb ft of torque. I'm sure it's because I grew up working on cars with hand tools, before the battery powered gizmos were available.

 

[Mike D]

I decided to bite the bullet and paint my beauty rings black. I had no issues at all removing or reinstalling the bolts, although I did take it pretty slow and did it by hand (no electric or impact) given all the previous comments on this topic. Very happy with how it looks, I’m done for now, I really like it the way it is and probably won’t be changing much else.

 

[Mike D]

Took mine off to paint. Zero issues whatsoever, for what it’s worth. Did it by hand to ensure nothing cross threaded. Was warned against using an impact. I also took the time to remove the yellow factory thread lock and blow out any dried pieces after I removed the bolts.

Exactly how I did it, no issues whatsoever but I was a little nervous jumping into it based on this thread.

 

[GT500]

I removed mine a few months after I got my Bronco, hearing the horror stories, so I could give them a coat of never seize. A few were tight, just be gentle, using an impact or anything but a ratchet and patience will break anything.

 

[Kayphix]

I had no issues removing and reinstalling mine. Just used hand tools and then removed the threadlocker material. Literally just finished mine.

 

[TMars]

Literally just finished mine.

That looks sharp!

 

[Giordiesel]

Took mine off to paint. Zero issues whatsoever, for what it’s worth. Did it by hand to ensure nothing cross threaded. Was warned against using an impact. I also took the time to remove the yellow factory thread lock and blow out any dried pieces after I removed the bolts.

did the same w/o an issue, maybe I got lucky

 

[3People1Body]

I bought Sasquatch takeoffs specifically to put real beadlock rings on them so leaving them alone isn't an option. Hopefully I won't have too many messed up ones.

How did this turn out? Actual beadlock rings?

 

[Tricky Dick]

How did this turn out? Actual beadlock rings?

Haven't got to it yet, may not for a couple more months.

 

[MsPickles]

I have been following some of these threads about the troubles with the beauty rings, so never attempted it. But I got screwed last week, in the bad way.
So while calling around to see what shop could get me patched, I debated removing the ring. What I didn't want happen is have some "kid" who has never seen one of these rings before, just mutilate the bolts because they thought they had to take the ring off. So I went for it. Pulled the tire off the vehicle and laid it on the ground. With the tire on the ground, I did have the advantage of gravity helping to make sure the torx 45 was full seated in each bolt, and used a breaker bar with 6" extension to just crack all 12 bolts. Once cracked, used a ratchet to get a feel for the bolts coming out for a couple turns. All 12 felt ok, tight, but not like cross threaded. Then used my impact on low setting and backed all out, no issues. It seems that most of the yellow locktight remained on the bolt, and not much left in the wheel. So just blew out the holes with air and ran all 12 bolts through a 10mm 1.5 die to remove all that yellow stuff. Worked really well, bolts came out with barely any remnants on them. After the tire was repaired, anti-seize all the bolts and re-installed the ring. No issues.
Since 1 was down, I went for the remaining 4. I did take each tire off one at a time and did them the same way. Felt I had great leverage with them flat on the ground, and with the 6" extension, I was able to hold the breaker bar exactly over the bolt, to make sure it wasn't at any angle that could cause the torx to strip out. So all 5 done, 60 bolts removed, and fixed up and re-installed with anti-seize.
Also, these 35" SAS tires are heavy, weighed in at 88 lbs each. Enough of a work out for me. lol Not sure what'll happen when I do 37s at next tire replace.

 

[0ne]

I had no issues removing and reinstalling mine. Just used hand tools and then removed the threadlocker material. Literally just finished mine.

Did you paint or powder coat? Velocity blue rings

 

[Kayphix]

Did you paint or powder coat? Velocity blue rings

I painted. I was getting quotes for powder coating of like $400-500. I bought the paint for $70. Unsure of durability long term but time will tell.

 

[0ne]

I painted. I was getting quotes for powder coating of like $400-500. I bought the paint for $70. Unsure of durability long term but time will tell.

what was the process to get color matched aerosols? Where did you get it? I’m also along front range CO, thx

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